DOTr eyes creation of designated bus lanes in Commonwealth, other provinces

The Department of Transportation is eyeing the creation of designated bus lanes similar to the EDSA Carousel in major thoroughfares in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Metro Manila such as the Commonwealth Avenue.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista made the remark at a Commission on Appointments hearing when Senator Risa Hontiveros asked why EDSA is the only thoroughfare that has a dedicated bus lane.

"Palagay ko po kailangan po nating magkaroon ng more dedicated lanes po. 'Yun pong EDSA Carousel po maganda ang naging resulta at pinag-uusapan na po namin sa road sector 'yung possibility of having dedicated bus lanes sa major thoroughfares like Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, 'yun pong mga malalapad na mga kalye po natin sa Metro Manila para po mabigyan natin ng mabilis na transportasyon," he said.

(I think we need to have more dedicated bus lanes. We in the road sector are now discussing the possibility of having dedicated bus lanes in major thoroughfares like Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, and other areas in Metro Manila with wide roads.)

"Katulad po ng EDSA Carousel na from North Ave. to Ayala is less than 30 minutes. Palagay ko po kailangan po gawin natin ito lalo na sa mga (We also need to do this in) major cities not only in Metro Manila but also in Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro," he added.

Hontiveros expressed delight on Bautista's statement, saying the government can adopt and apply the best models in Jakarta, Indonesia which already designated 388 kilometers of roads as bus lanes.—AOL, GMA Integrated News