España-Quezon busway line to open in 2026

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is reviving the plan to build a busway line that will provide commuters with a more seamless commute between Manila and Quezon City, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said his agency is currently studying the prospect of building a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system along the roughly 12-kilometer route of España Boulevard in Manila to Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

Dizon said the proposed route is a top priority for the government, as it will provide commuters with another option for commuting, instead of the jeepney or through ride-hailing apps.

The project is currently undergoing a feasibility study that is expected to be completed by next year.

Currently, the plan is for the government to build the busway line before turning over the operations and maintenance to the private sector.

Dizon said the construction of the project will not be complicated, recalling that the EDSA Carousel was developed even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was during the pandemic when the government first planned to erect a busway line along España Boulevard to Quezon Avenue, with an estimated cost of %u20B15.4 billion.

In a report by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) of the House of Representatives, the proposed BRT system was conceptualized in 2016 and was planned to run from Philcoa in Quezon City to Manila City Hall.

The project was seen to cut travel time between the two stations from two hours to 40 minutes, serving up to 300,000 passengers daily.

The government has sought financial support from the World Bank to the tune of $64.6 million, or about %u20B13.67 billion, for the project.

However, the loan was cancelled in 2022, with the Washington-based multilateral lender citing the inefficiency in procurement, supposed weak capacity of the implementing agency, and pandemic-induced delays.

With the project’s revival, the DOTr is planning to intensify its efforts to build more BRT systems across the country.

Dizon said the Cebu BRT system in Cebu City, which has long been plagued by delays, is now under construction.

He added that another priority project is the Davao BRT system, which he described as “game-changer” as it will be the template busway line for other cities.