Bus system in Makati CBD pushed anew

A group of property owners in the Makati Central Business District (CBD) has reiterated its plan to build a bus rapid transit (BRT) system along Ayala Avenue as part of the redevelopment of the country’s premier financial center.

The Makati Commercial Estate Association (Macea) has submitted the proposal to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Macea vice president William Coscolluela said on Monday during the opening of the De La Rosa Elevated Walkway Extension from V.A. Rufino to Salcedo Streets.

Coscolluela said Macea’s proposal was made during the previous administration but was put on hold because of the government’s BRT plan for Metro Manila.

The Makati BRT proposal, estimated to cost P800 million to P1 billion to be shouldered by Macea, can connect seamlessly with the 49-kilometer BRT plan approved by the National Economic and Development Authority, Macea governor Manuel Blas II said.

Transportation Undersecretary Anneli Lontoc told reporters that the Macea proposal was “within the alignment. But as to how it will be implemented, we’re still working it out. They offered and we’re talking about it.”

Macea’s plan involved five nodes or centers (McKinley Exchange, One Ayala on Edsa, Mandarin Oriental Hotel at Ayala Triangle, Buendia City Gate and Circuit Makati) which will be connected via pedestrian walkways and underpasses. The BRT system on Ayala will make the nodes even more efficient, he said.

Macea spent P110.6 million for the walkway extension, bringing its total investment in the pedestrianization program to P497 million.