MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning three new high-capacity bus corridors spanning more than 100 kilometers (km) across Metro Manila, building on the existing EDSA Busway to improve public transport connectivity in the capital region.
Transportation Undersecretary Mark Pastor said the proposed corridors would run along C5, Quezon Avenue and Ortigas-Aurora.
The C5 corridor will stretch 45.6 km with 88 bus stops, while the Quezon Avenue corridor will cover 26.24 km with 62 stops. The Ortigas-Aurora corridor, meanwhile, will span 30.5 km with 65 stops.
“Together, these corridors will complement the EDSA Busway, connecting major residential areas, business districts, transport terminals, and existing and future rail line systems,” Pastor said at the Asean Transportation Forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.
The three routes were identified as priorities under a World Bank-supported study that examined ways to develop an integrated network of high-quality bus services across Metro Manila.
A key feature of the proposed network is the introduction of branched services, which would allow buses to travel beyond the main corridors to serve more communities while retaining high-capacity routes along major thoroughfares.
Permanent system
Currently, the DOTr is also working to turn the busway from an interim transport arrangement into a permanent system through station rehabilitation, new concourses, additional stations and improved passenger facilities.
The agency is likewise pursuing a public-private partnership framework for the busway’s long-term operations, maintenance and asset management.
Outside Metro Manila, the DOTr is advancing several other bus rapid transit (BRT) projects, including the P28.77-billion Cebu BRT, a 35-km network with 17 km of segregated lanes and 22 stations.
Partial operations began in March, although Pastor acknowledged that several remaining components, including stations, depots, terminals and bus fleet requirements, still lack identified funding following the cancellation of a loan.
In Davao City, the department is developing a modern bus network covering 32 routes and 672.9 km, supported by depots, terminals, bus stops and an automated fare collection system.
The DOTr is targeting partial operations in the final quarter of 2027 and full citywide operations in 2028.
Pastor said additional BRT systems were also being pursued in Iloilo, Bataan and Pangasinan.
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