Look! The State-of-the-Art EDSA Busway Bridge with Concourse Project [Metro Manila Philippines]
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| The State-of-the-Art EDSA Busway Bridge with Concourse - [Concept by Mr. Eduardo Yap | Visualization by: AR. Gaston Pastrano] |
“ANG PAGBABAGO SA EDSA AY ISANG GAWAIN NA HINDI HIHINTO. ITO AY TULOY-TULOY”
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| Look at the artist rendering of EDSA Busway Bridge & Concourse, which will start to be built after its groundbreaking ceremony today, 18th May 2021, led by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Arthur P. Tugade, affiliated with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. |
In this virtual ceremony, Sec. Art Tugade conveyed his gratitude for the commitment, support, and partnership extended by other government agencies, and the private sector, in their help in realizing this much-needed transformational change in the metro commuting experience.
“Taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat dahil sa wakas, makakamit at matitikman na ng publiko ng tunay na pagbabago sa EDSA gamit ang EDSA Busway Concourse,” Sec. Tugade said.
He added, “Lahat ‘ho ‘yan, bahagi ng ating pinagsama-samang hakbang para masabi na iyong imposible dati, nagawa at gagawin nating posible ngayon. At higit sa lahat, with the EDSA Busway, we are not just changing the system, but also the culture on the road. We are inculcating the values and the discipline for the benefit of the people.”
For his part, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan remarked, “Through this initiative, SM Supermalls looks forward to contributing to the vision of DOTr, and its partner agencies and the LGUs, in providing a more comfortable, efficient and convenient experience for the commuting public.”
SMPHI President Jeffrey Lim congratulated Sec. Tugade, the DOTr, and the respective public and private partners, for successfully bringing the project into fruition, and ensure the company’s continued support for the initiative.
“Allow me to begin by congratulating Sec. Tugade, the DOTr, and the partner agencies, LGUs and advocates for the vision and leadership behind the EDSA Busway Project, it is indeed a transformative and pioneering transport initiative—improving the travel experience of commuters along Metro Manila thoroughfare,” Mr. Lim said.
He added, “In addition to funding the construction of these concourses, SM will ensure that these facilities are properly secured and well-maintained for the safety and convenience of all passengers and pedestrians.”
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| The three concourse will be set up at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA. |
Meanwhile, key officials from the national and local government, expressed their messages of support for the successful run of the EDSA Busway Project.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar congratulated and commended the visionary leadership of Sec. Art Tugade, saying, “Sec Art, you have done a great job, you really changed the landscape of mass transportation and I only have the highest regard for you and your team. So, congratulations again, you always have our support, and we will continue to do everything we can to support you in this very historic endeavor.”
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. agreed with Sec. Villar’s acknowledgement towards Sec. Tugade’s leadership, and said, “Tama si Sec. Villar, talagang napakahusay ni Secretary Art Tugade—very visionary. Unang-una ‘yung subway project na in-implement niya, talagang ang dami, the bus carousel. Talagang it’s an honor to be working with you, Secretary Tugade.”
He added, “In your continuous effort of prioritizing our commuter’s mobility with the EDSA Busway Concourse Project, we can provide a more seamless EDSA busway as we make commuting easier, safer more comfortable and more inclusive to infrastructures that are PWD-, senior citizen-, and pregnant women-friendly.”
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, on the other hand, said, “Its immediate and flawless execution is one of the greatest acts of political will. Now, we are blessed with another breathtaking development in the overall plan to enhance the transport experience of our millions of commuters.”
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| This EDSA Busway concourse features ticketing booths, Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) turnstiles, and concierges, which will be the way for all transactions of commuter will only be held in the concourse itself before riding. |
Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos also expressed, “I hereby signify my full and solid support for the success of the EDSA Busway Concourse Project.”
For her part, Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay-Campos conveyed, “On behalf of the City of Makati, let me express our gratitude and support for the national government and its private sector partners for this innovative undertaking that will raise by several degrees the standards of public transport system in the metropolis.”
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said, “Kami po sa Pasay, 101% ang suporta namin sa proyektong ito at kung ano man ang aking mapaglilingkod pa, nakabukas ang aking tanggapan upang sumporta sa aking makakay.”
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| This EDSA Busway concourse also features concierges and cafes. |
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| Meanwhile, they will also build ramps and elevators to ensure the safety, comfort, accessibility, and security of PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women who will use the facility. |
As part of the private sector partnership, Busway Advocate and Chairman of Green EDSA Movement Eduardo Yap expressed his message of support and gratitude.
“The transformation of EDSA is a manifestation of effective public and private partnership. I personally thank SM Prime Holdings, for answering the call for assistance, by graciously taking on the construction and maintenance of these vital components at no cost to the government. Maraming salamat kay Sec. Tugade, dahil sa inyong mga reporma at pagtitiwala sa konsepto ng Busway, mayroon na tayong Busway.”
The EDSA Busway system —a joint project of the DOTr, in cooperation with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), MMDA, and the DPWH—started its interim operations in June of last year, and was designed and intended to allow faster travel time for commuters, provide a comfortable commute for the Filipinos amid the pandemic, and improve mobility along EDSA.
Other officials who were present in the event include LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs Goddes Hope Libiran, Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Manny Gonzales, Road Sector Senior Consultant Alberto Suansing, SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans Sy, several local government representatives, and executives from the SM Supermalls.
MORE CONVENIENT, SAFE TRAVEL ALONG EDSA BUSWAY AS DOTr, SM GROUP START CONSTRUCTION OF STATE-OF-THE-ART CONCOURSE
A major transformational initiative of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), under the leadership of Sec. Arthur P. Tugade, is now underway as Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare will get a major facelift following the start of construction works of the much-awaited EDSA Busway Concourse today, 18 May 2021.
A jubilant Sec. Tugade expressed his gratitude to stakeholders, including other government agencies and private sector partners, particularly the SM Group, who joined forces in making the project to provide safe and hassle-free travel to commuters a reality
“Taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat dahil sa wakas, makakamit at matitikman na ng publiko ang tunay na pagbabago sa EDSA gamit ang EDSA Busway Concourse. Mas magiging ligtas na ang pag akyat-baba ng mga pasahero sa mga sakayan. Mas kombinyente na rin ang pagsakay dahil magkakaroon pa ng ticket booths, concierge at turnstiles para sa automatic fare collection system. Meron tayong sistema na friendly sa ating mga senior citizens at sa mga persons with challenges and disabilities,” Tugade said in his message during the virtual ceremony of the EDSA Busway Concourse.
The world-class and state-of-the-art EDSA Busway Concourse will provide convenient and safe transport access for commuters, especially those in vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women.
The concourses will have a provision for ticketing booths, Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) turnstiles, and concierges, which will allow transactions to take place at the concourses before the onboarding of passengers.
To recall, the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the construction of the EDSA Busway concourse was held in November 2020. The SM Group will start the construction of three (3) concourses to be built at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, and SM North EDSA in Quezon City.
The concourses will further boost the efficiency of the EDSA Busway, a joint project of the DOTr, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The EDSA Busway was carried out at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020 to provide seamless movement of high-capacity Public Utility Buses (PUBs).
“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks another milestone in the EDSA Busway project. And SM Prime is honored to be part of the government’s effort in further improving the commuting experience of every Filipino,” SM Prime Holdings Inc. President Jeffrey Lim said.
“SM has invested over P120 million for this project. We really aspire to provide a convenient, fast, and safe commuting experience for all Filipinos. The project is slated to start next month June 2021 and the target completion is within 10 months, so by the first quarter of 2022, we hope that everybody can already enjoy this convenient and pleasurable experience of commuting along EDSA,” SM Supermalls President Steven Tan meanwhile said.
For their part, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos heaped praises for Sec. Tugade’s efforts in spearheading the collective effort of bringing faster travel time, comfortable commute, and improved mobility along EDSA amid the pandemic.
“I thank and congratulate Sec. Art Tugade for such a monumental accomplishment. He has really changed the landscape of mass transit, especially in EDSA. It makes me very happy to know that together, we succeeded in converting what used to be a symbol of traffic into a symbol now of what the true leadership of President Duterte brings,” Sec. Villar said.
“There’s a 47.3% average decrease in travel among public utility buses traveling along EDSA from January 2020 to January of this year while there is 89.81% or 9.61 kilometers per hour average increase in travel speed of our PUBs for the similar period. All these figures are the sweet fruit of labor that we’ve long wanted our commuters and motorists alike to experience,” MMDA Chairman Abalos explained.
Moreover, Green EDSA Movement Chairman Eddie Yap said that the EDSA Busway Concourse is targeted to increase the buses plying along the country’s main thoroughfare to more than 500 from the current 200 bus units.
“These reforms provide for a framework for sustainable management of urban traffic congestion and people mobility,” Yap said.
DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Steven Pastor, meanwhile, said that additional concourses will be constructed in other stations of the EDSA Busway.
“Through our private partners, the Double Dragon and Wenceslao Group, ang dalawang susunod na concourses ay located sa Roxas Boulevard at Macapagal Avenue. On top of that, may additional four stations pa sa Buendia, Taft, Roxas Boulevard at sa Tramo,” Pastor said.
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