EDSA Busway Concourse: A safer, more convenient access to public transport

 

by: Jimmyley Guzman 

For a certified organizer, bike technician, and bike fitter, Jeza Rodriguez, the recent opening of the SM North EDSA Busway Concourse provides a more convenient and more accessible transport hub for commuters.

The newly opened concourse, located in front of SM North EDSA, offers seamless connections to various transportation options and nearby commercial establishments.

For Jeza, she explained the benefits of the concourse, especially for bimodal commuters like her.

“I would say comfort, safety kasi mas may ilaw po ngayon. Accessibility kasi malapit sa bahay and cheap, of course. Kasi kung magbu-bus ka, I think 30 pesos, 40 depende sa layo, and it’s faster. So hindi ko kailangang mamroblema kung anong oras ako kailangang umalis kasi alam ko na predictable yung times nang pag-alis ng bus. Tsaka kaya kong mag bimodal. Bimodal po yung process nang pagbi-bike o pagdadala ng bike sa bus o kaya sa tren, o kaya sa kotse. Pwede kang sumakay, umalis nang naka bisikleta,” said Jeza.

Breaking the usual tradition of launching a project, Jeza joined other commuters who cut the ribbon during the ceremonial opening of the concourse.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon thanked SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and other partners for this project. He cited the everyday plight of commuters who barely have time to spend with their family due to long hours of commuting in the metropolis.

“…Ang mga araw-araw nating kababayan na kailangang bumiyahe mula sa bahay nila papunta sa trabaho, nasa trabaho nila papunta sa bahay na hirap na hirap. Hirap na hirap sila dahil nauubusan sila ng panahon…”

Dizon noted the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to make the lives of everyday commuters more convenient.

“Yan ang kabilin-bilinan ng ating mahal na Pangulo, kailangan pabutihin naman natin kahit kaunti, kahit isang oras, dalawang oras, bago matapos ang subway, bago matapos ang mga mrt, bago matapos ang mga tren natin. Kahit papaano man lang, makapagbigay tayo uli ng dagdag na oras sa ating mga kababayan. Yun po ang binibigay nitong busway.”

The SM North EDSA Busway Concourse is a joint effort between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and SM Prime Holdings, Inc., in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Quezon City Local Government Unit (LGU).  (JEG/PIA-NCR)

Photos by John Lester Naguna / PIA-NCR