DOTr, SM Prime break ground for EDSA busway concourse

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and SM Prime Holdings Inc. have started construction of the first of three busway concourses along EDSA, which the latter will fund.

The DOTr and SM Prime held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the busway concourse at SM North EDSA.

SM Prime had earlier signed an agreement with the DOTr to develop three busway concourses along EDSA – at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, SM North EDSA in Quezon City and SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the EDSA busway concourse is a manifestation of a successful partnership between the public and private sectors.

“We will be establishing a convenient access to the EDSA busway – right in the middle of overlapping transport infrastructure projects,” he said.

Bautista said the DOTr also partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Quezon City government for one footbridge each in SM North EDSA and SM Megamall and a ground station in SM MOA.

As a major component of the EDSA busway, the walkways are for commuters using the EDSA busway stations and for pedestrians crossing EDSA.

At each of the concourses, SM said there would be a concierge, ticketing booths and turnstiles for the automatic fare collection system.

Ramps and elevators will also provide easy access for commuters, specifically persons with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women.