Making the EDSA Busway accessible for all

IN many previous columns, I have argued that the EDSA Busway is the "lowest-hanging fruit" among the many investment options for expanding mass transit. At a fraction of the construction cost of railway and projects, an investment in the EDSA Busway will deliver significant results within a relatively short period (two to three years — within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.). While railway projects remain important (and should continue to be pursued in parallel), it makes sense to include the EDSA Busway among the high priority infrastructure investments over the next three years.

Increasing mass transit capacity on EDSA is urgently needed, and the upgrading and expansion of the EDSA Busway is the fastest way to accomplish this. Within the next two years, the MRT 7 is expected to come on stream and will carry 500,000 or more passengers between Bulacan, Commonwealth Avenue and EDSA. Without additional mass transit capacity on EDSA, there will be longer queues on EDSA public transport services as well as heavier congestion for motorists.

MOBILITY MATTERS