DOTr studying possible privatization of EDSA Busway

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has ordered a study on the possible privatization of the EDSA Busway (EDSA Carousel), Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said Monday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Pastor said the study will determine the advantages in giving the busway system operations to the private sector.

“Nagbigay po ng direktiba ang aming kalihim na si Secretary Jimmy Bautista na agad-agad ay aralin at gumawa ng feasibility study upang ating masukat, matukoy, at malaman kung ano  ba yung mga magiging benepisyo kung ang operations po ng ating busway system ay isasapribado at ibibigay po sa ating private sector participants,” he said.

(Our Secretary Jimmy Bautista gave a directive to immediately conduct a feasibility study to project the possible benefits if the busway system operations will be privatized and given to private sector participants.)

Pastor added that the privatization of the EDSA Busway needs study because it involves many components such as bus units and infrastructures, which are under the jurisdiction of other agencies.

Asked about the possibility of a fare increase, Bautista said that it would be highly-regulated and under the jurisdiction of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. The fare is also being considered for the study, he added.

The government has been offering free rides on EDSA Busway under its “Libreng Sakay” program, which is set to end on December 31, 2022. Under the program, the government hires buses to provide free rides to commuters.

According to a report of GMA News’ Mariz Umali on Unang Balita, some passengers expressed support for the privatization but appealed that the current minimum fare should be observed.

A dispatcher at EDSA-Monumento station expressed concern that they might lose their jobs if the private sector took over the busway system. He said the bus consortiums that were initially booked by the government for the EDSA Busway might be replaced.

Pastor said the impact of the possible privatization on employment will also be included in the study.

According to Pastor, there are 500 bus units that are plying for EDSA Busway. As of August, the DOTr said around 335,000 passengers are being accommodated daily.

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) earlier proposed privatizing the EDSA Busway and commuter railway systems  to improve the commuter experience in Metro Manila. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News