THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is on track to start the privatization of the EDSA Busway System in the second quarter of the year, allowing the private sector to operate and upgrade the system.
The DOTr is preparing the terms of reference for the privatization of the EDSA Busway, hoping to start the bidding at the end of the first quarter or early into the second quarter of the year, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program on Thursday.
“The terms of reference will be completed and a bid will also be submitted. The private sector will provide the vehicles and they also operate (the bus system),” Bautista said.
EDSA Busway has 20 stations from Monumento to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
With the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) planned rehabilitation of the entire stretch of EDSA, Bautista expects a surge in the passengers of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 3 and the EDSA Busway.
“We will work closely with the DPWH and MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), so that the operation of the EDSA Busway will be smooth,” Bautista said.
