According to Pasig City mayor Maribel Eusebio, one of the issues in Ortigas Center is the low level of efficiency of the public transport within Ortigas Center. To improve this, the city government has launched a free bus service to ferry commuters around the center.
To date, there are eight 25-seater bus that will ply specific routes and stops within Ortigas Center. Each bus is equipped with CCTV cameras and GPS connectivity. The buses also use Euro IV fuel standards, in line with the Clean Air Act.
The buses currently operate during rush hour on weekdays, from 6am to 9am, 12pm to 2pm, and 4pm to 7pm. Wait time is an average of 20 to 25 minutes.
The buses operate on four routes:
Green Route: San Miguel Avenue – Exchange Road – Jade Drive – Service Road – J. Vargas Avenue – Meralco Avenue – H. Javier St. – Capitol Commons – Shaw Blvd – Escriva Drive – Gold Loop – Escriva Drive – Shaw Blvd – San Miguel Avenue
Red route: Frontera Verde – J. Vargas Avenue – Meralco Avenue – Ortigas Avenue – Frontera Verde
Blue route: Garnet Road – Emerald Avenue – Ortigas Avenue – Meralco Avenue – Exchange Road – Jade Drive – Amethyst St – Pearl Drive – Gold Loop – Escriva Drive – Gold Loop – Pearl Drive – Lourdes St – San Miguel Avenue – ADB Avenue
Yellow route: Shaw Blvd – Meralco Avenue – J. Vargas Avenue – Lanuza Avenue – St Martin St – H. Javier St – Oranbo Drive
The project aims to reduce the number of cars on the road and provide cleaner air. If successful, there are plans to purchase more buses.
It is co-developed by the Ortigas Center Association Inc.
, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and the Association of Building Managers.
The project reportedly costs P3.
3 million.
*Featured photo by Charles Suarez
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