Rehabilitated Edsa Busway stations in QC, Caloocan reopen

MANILA, Philippines — Three rehabilitated and modernized Edsa Busway stations in Quezon City and Caloocan City opened to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 20, with improvements aimed at making commuting more comfortable and accessible.

The stations in Bagong Barrio and Monumento in Caloocan City and North Avenue in Quezon City are now open following rehabilitation under the first phase of the Edsa Busway Rehabilitation Project.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the improvements were intended to make the stations more accessible, particularly for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Article continues after this advertisement

“We will continue modernizing the Edsa Busway, which serves many commuters daily,” he added.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: Edsa rehab phase 1 set for completion in July

The rehabilitation involved widening station platforms and improving waiting sheds, railings, vertical louvers, tactile paving, wayfinding signs and LED information displays, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The board added that elevators at the stations were still being repaired to improve accessibility, particularly for senior citizens, pregnant women and PWDs.

Lopez and Senior Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor inspected the North Avenue and Bagong Barrio stations on Oct. 20 to check the improvements and identify further measures to improve commuters’ experience.

Article continues after this advertisement

The reopening comes as Lopez seeks the restoration of the DOTr’s proposed P1.756-billion budget for the Edsa Busway in 2027, after the project received no allocation under the proposed National Expenditure Program.

READ: DOTr chief pushes for Edsa busway funding in 2027

Article continues after this advertisement

Speaking at the Infrastructure Forum of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines in Makati City on Oct. 19, Lopez warned that a lack of funding could affect the busway’s operations, security and maintenance.

“Without funding, the busway’s operations could suffer, security personnel may not be paid, and broken elevators may not be repaired,” Lopez said.

According to the DOTr, the Edsa Busway served more than 367 million passengers from its launch in 2020 through August 2026.

Lopez said the busway deserved funding because it serves more commuters than private vehicles on Edsa.

“At least 50 people ride a bus, or up to 70 when passengers are standing, compared with about five people in a private vehicle.”

READ: Solons push for budget restoration for Edsa busway system

The DOTr is also planning to expand the Edsa Busway, with new stations eyed in Cubao, Magallanes and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange to improve access to the bus system.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

It will continue, however, its rehabilitation works at Balintawak in Quezon City and Guadalupe in Makati City. /cb