The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has opened yesterday two additional busway stations, Roxas boulevard and Taft avenue.
The addition of the busway stations forms part of the objective of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and DOTr to continue to improve the road transport sector through various initiatives.
The EDSA Busway project is a joint undertaking of DOTr, MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The project features dedicated median lane for buses with stations built at the median island, allowing for more efficient travel by avoiding conflict with connecting streets, driveways, commercial centers and curbside drop-off points.
The EDSA Busway system has reduced travel time from Mall of Asia in Pasay City to Monumento in Kalookan from two to three hours down only to one hour and 30 minutes.
Jaime Bautista, DOTr secretary, commended the private sector and government partnership in order to promote safe and comfortable travel for commuters.
On August 3, Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio launched the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service-Libreng Sakay Program together with DOTr.
The program was also launched simultaneously in key areas in Mindanao and Visayas, with two buses deployed in Metro Manila and one each in Davao City, Cebu and Bacolod.
Bautista also expressed his gratitude to Duterte for supporting the Libreng Sakay program to help address commuter woes especially during rush hour and provide an accessible, affordable, comfortable and safe transport for Filipinos. – Myla Iglesias
