Better Edsa Busway awaits commuters by Q1 2026

Amid a proposal from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to close the Edsa busway after the capacity of the Metro Rail Transit 3 is expanded significantly, the Department of Transportation issues a statement saying the dedicated bus lane remains one of the most efficient public road transport systems in the National Capital Region. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

By first quarter of 2026, passengers of the Edsa Busway may have a better commuting experience as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is keen on starting a rehabilitation project by the second half of this year.

Vivencio Dizon, the newly minted DOTr secretary, told reporters on Tuesday they were targeting to finish the terms of reference for the Edsa Busway upgrade contract in a month.

Following this, Dizon said they would open the bidding process for interested private sector proponents by May, aiming to have the contract awarded by June or July.

In line with this project, the DOTr secured a P16.3-million grant fund from Swedfund International AB on Tuesday.

Swedfund is also set to assist the government in the planning and design of the busway project and provide expertise in sustainable transportation.

Dizon, who himself recently rode Edsa buses to observe what is happening on ground, raised the need to build a separate concourse going to the bus stations.

He noted that commuters using the busway and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 had the same pathways going to the stations—Ortigas, Santolan and Kamuning, in particular—resulting in overcrowding.

Dizon lauded the SM Group for establishing dedicated concourses for the busway stations at SM North Edsa and Megamall.

Predictable schedule

The transport chief aims to replicate this model at all the other 21 stations of the Edsa busway.

Dizon also gave focus on making sure that the bus schedules were more predictable by deploying enforcers to make sure the buses would not stay more than the 45 seconds per station.

This was only imperative, Dizon said, noting that the passengers must be able to rely on the efficient operation of buses.

In the long run, the DOTr chief said they were also aiming to build more stations in the south.

The DOTr previously tapped the International Finance Corp. to craft the terms of reference for the project.

The government has been considering the privatization of the operations and maintenance of the busway traversing Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares since 2022.