Manila’s EDSA-Philam Bus Station to Undergo Accessibility Improvements with New Vertical Lift

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced plans to temporarily close the problematic ramp at the EDSA-Philam bus carousel station to install a new vertical lift. This development follows severe criticism of the ramp’s steepness, which posed accessibility issues for persons with disabilities (PWDs) using wheelchairs.

According to Philippines News Agency, the improvement works, including the installation of the lift at the station near Quezon Avenue, will be undertaken at no cost to the government. The contractor responsible for the project will cover all expenses, with the works expected to last between one to two months. “Ito (vertical lift), diretso na from the footbridge, diretso na sa platform. So more likely ito iyong atin ilalagay doon. The wheelchair will ride the elevator and the person can directly reach the bus platform,” Artes explained during a Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, while displaying a photo of the planned project.

During the installation period, the ramp will be closed to the public, who will be directed to use the regular stairs. This closure is part of a broader effort to ensure that the new facilities meet the needs of all commuters, including those with mobility challenges.

The decision to install a vertical lift comes after the initial ramp design received backlash for not being fully accessible to wheelchair users. The steep angle of the ramp was a compromise made due to height restrictions posed by the nearby Metro Rail Transit Line 3. Although the ramp was intended to aid senior citizens, pregnant individuals, and other PWDs, it proved inadequate for those in wheelchairs.

Artes acknowledged the oversight, noting that the original planning did not adequately account for wheelchair users, who are infrequent users of the bus carousel. “It was a good thing we received criticism and we were able to think of a way on how to address the issue,” he added, emphasizing the importance of community feedback in improving public infrastructure.