The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in partnership with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will test run the efficiency of an express bus system on EDSA starting today, March 23.
According to the MMDA, several bus companies agreed to participate on this including Kellen Transport Inc., Everlasting Transport Co., NAIA Metrolink, Taguig Metro Link Bus Corp., ES Transport Inc., Jayross LS Tours Bus Co Inc., Fermina Express Corp., Worthy Transport Inc., Gloren Transport Service, and UBE Express.
According to Emil Llavor of the MMDA Road Safety Unit, there will be three routes for the EDSA “express bus” system and these are:
ROUTE E1 (Fairview-Ortigas Avenue/Gil Puyat Avenue LRT station with 20 bus units) stations:
- Fairview
- Litex/COA
- Batasan
- Ortigas
- SM Megamall
- Ayala Avenue
- Gil Puyat LRT station
- Cultural Center of the Philippines parking area (Roxas Boulevard)
ROUTE E2 (Fairview-Ayala Avenue/Gil Puyat Avenue LRT station with 10 bus units) stations:
- Fairview
- Litex/COA
- Batasan
- Ayala Avenue
- Gil Puyat LRT station
- CPP parking area
ROUTE E3 (Fairview-Ayala Avenue MRT station-SM Mall of Asia rotunda with 20 bus units) stations:
- Fairview
- Litex/COA
- Batasan
- Ayala MRT station
- SM Mall of Asia rotunda
Express buses are only allowed to stay for 20 seconds at the stations to pickup and unload passengers. These buses are allowed to use the inner lane, flyovers, and underpasses on EDSA to arrive at their destination faster. An express bus is expected to arrive at each station in intervals of five minutes during peak hours and 10 minutes during non-peak hours.
The express buses will operate from 4AM to 10PM daily.
The pilot run is expected to last for two months.
The fare for express buses is said to be the same as the rate on air-conditioned buses.
Have you tried the EDSA express buses?
How was it?
Share your experiences with us!
Source: Interaksyon.com
