Gov’t seeks advisor for privatization of Edsa busway

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines is in the process of selecting an advisor for the feasibility study of the Edsa Busway System, according to a Department of Transportation (DOTr) official.

On the sidelines of an event in Pasay on Friday, DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Timothy John Batan told reporters they were hoping to secure an advisor in the near term so the study would begin within the year.

“As soon as we have that [advisor], then we will get that moving forward so that we can pursue a PPP (public-private partnership) for the Edsa Busway,” he said.

An advisor can be a consultant or a consortium or joint venture of consultants, he said.

The advisor, Batan added, would help the agencies in identifying the measures that would improve the operations of the busway.

Batan noted that the feasibility study could take six to nine months to be completed.

“We have to invest in good feasibility studies. Because if we don’t do it like that, then during project implementation, projects could arise,” he said.

Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista early this month said the agency had ordered the PPP Center to develop a feasibility study on the privatization of public bus transportation in one of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares.

Pursuing a PPP setup for the busway could benefit commuters as the operator would be able to introduce innovations such as an automated fare collection system, he had said.

Infrawatch PH convener Terry Ridon, in an earlier interview with the Inquirer, said the feasibility study should ensure that the PPP project would result in better commuter experience.

“The core of any proposed PPP should focus on improving the commuter experience, such as shorter wait times and adequate protection from extreme weather conditions,” he said.

The private operator should generate revenues from lease and outdoor advertising rather than implement unreasonable fares to recover costs, he added.