DOTr to study private operation of Edsa Busway

MANILA  -The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is hoping to soon pick the consultant firm which will be tasked to do a feasibility study for Edsa Busway System as the government looks for a private concessionaire to take over its operations and maintenance.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, in a recent interview with the reporters in Pasay City, said they were targeting to draw up the consultancy services agreement before the third quarter ends.

Last month, the Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines said that four consulting international and local firms submitted technical and financial proposals for the busway project.

Consulting service for Edsa Busway includes preparation of prefeasibility and feasibility study and assistance to the DOTr.

A feasibility study will be conducted to identify the terms of reference for the operations and maintenance contract, which will be bid out to private proponents.

The Edsa Busway is a dedicated median lane for city buses traveling from Monumento to Pasay.

The DOTr has previously expressed interest to involve a private sector operator to maintain and improve the public transportation system servicing Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare. As an example, Bautista said before that the operator could introduce innovations like an automated fare collection system.

Fares could go higher once a private firm takes over the Edsa Busway System so it can recoup investments.