The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday the EDSA Busway is undergoing a major transformation to prioritize both security and accessibility, especially for elderly passengers and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The agency said the busway stations at Monumento, Bagong Barrio, Balintawak, Philam and Guadalupe are being fitted with footbridges, elevators and CCTV cameras.
A total of 166 CCTV cameras intend to boost operational capability and monitor violators of busway regulations.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency would expand the improvements to cover the entire 18 busway stations.
“This is for the interest of our riders. This is so that we can attain the objectives of the DOTr. As for accessibility, that will answer it—it will be friendly to our seniors, PWDs,” Bautista said during the opening of the Philam station.
“We will ask for additional budget for this [additional manlifts, smart traffic surveillance system],” he said.
Improvements include construction of new stations Philam and Kamuning Stations in Quezon City; construction of pedestrian footbridges in Balintawak, Santolan and Guadalupe stations; and rehabilitation of existing footbridges at Monumento, Bagong Barrio and Philam stations.
Facility improvements also include construction of PWD ramps, catch basins, storm drain pipes as well as provision of pressurized washer for concrete barriers.
Bautista said the new facilities would complement the EDSA Greenways Project.
“This is a continuation of the EDSA Greenways Project. This [EDSA Busway to the EDSA Greenways Project,] will be accessible,” he said.
The EDSA Greenways Project aims to improve the pedestrian environment by building elevated pedestrian walkways along the busiest thoroughfare in Metro Manila, specifically in Balintawak and Cubao in Quezon City, Guadalupe in Makati City and Taft Ave. in Pasay City.
The EDSA Greenways Project will connect pedestrians and commuters to mass transit stations once completed. It will help promote the use of public transport.
