PPP Center, DOTr start sounding for EDSA busway privatization

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) commenced an initial market sounding on the plan to privatize the operations of the EDSA Busway service to gauge stakeholders’ interest in participating in the project.

In a news release on Tuesday, the PPP Center said that, together with the DOTr, it commenced the preliminary market-sounding activity for the EDSA Busway project on March 8, 2024.

Approximately 60 private sector participants and five government agencies attended the market-sounding activity.

“This activity seeks to provide an overview of the proposed PPP project, gather initial feedback and valuable insights from private sector participants, and identify potential issues or concerns affecting project viability,” the PPP Center said.

The agency said the EDSA Busway project aimed to enhance accessibility, safety, and reliability, and to shorten travel time for commuters along the EDSA corridor and other major and feeder roads within Metro Manila.

“The potential scope of responsibility of the private sector partner could encompass financing, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of upgraded bus stations and facilities, procurement of bus fleet, operations and maintenance of busway system,” the PPP Center said.

As early as October 2022, the DOTr called for a feasibility study for the proposed privatization of the EDSA Busway System.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista had said he wanted the planned privatization of the EDSA Busway service accomplished through solicited bidding.

Meanwhile, the PPP Center signed a technical assistance agreement with the DOTr, including project preparation and transaction advisory services, on April 5, 2023.

The agency looked to complete the feasibility study of the project by midyear. — DVM, GMA Integrated News