Calls for Edsa busway privatization get louder

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority inspects the EDSA Busway Carousel – Monumento Station in Quezon City on Friday, September 23. Courtesy of MMDA Facebook page

At least 30 organizations comprising different business groups, trade unions and private sector associations are backing the privatization of the Edsa busway system, urging immediate changes in ownership and control of one of Metro Manila’s most used public transportation systems.

“To expeditiously carry this work-in-progress project forward to its completion in accordance with global standards, as laudably committed by transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, we strongly urge and fully support its privatization, conformably with PPP (public-private partnership) process and under concession terms beneficial to all concerned,” read a joint endorsement letter made public by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Monday.

Other groups backing the efforts include: Agriwatch Inc., American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Anvil Business Club, Asia Pacific Real Estate Association–Philippines, Cebu Business Club, Cebu Leads Foundation, Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc., Connected Women, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Inc., Filipina CEO Circle, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and Foundation For Economic Freedom, Guild of Real Estate Entrepreneurs and Practitioners Inc. and the Green EDSA Movement.

The list also includes IT-Business Process Association of the Philippines, National Real Estate association, Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines, Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation –Go Negosyo, Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Philippine Retailers Association, Philippine Women’s Economic Network, Philippines-New Zealand Business Council, Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Tax Management Association of the Philippines and Women’s Business Council Philippines.

Opportunity to upgrade

“The Edsa busway system provides an opportunity for the government to upgrade the country’s public transportation system, despite the challenges posed by severe fiscal constraints brought by the pandemic,” the joint letter read.

“It is high time that the government and the private sector join hands to provide the critical components that are needed to complete the busway system and finally put an end to the daily scenario in which thousands of commuters wait in long queues in overcrowded stations while enduring unnecessary pains and hardships,” it added.

Citing data from the Department of Transportation, these groups said the busway system carried an average of 325,000 passengers daily in August 2022, with only 550 buses committed to its operations, compared with the prepandemic level of 3,300 units.

They added that the transport system had halved end-to-end travel time on Edsa to one-and-a-half hours. INQ