MMDA, LTFRB to deploy P2P buses for MRT passengers

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be relaunching point to point (P2P) buses as an alternate mode of transportation to commuters affected by the glitches and breakdowns of the Metro Rail Transit Line Line 3 (MRT-3) system. (Photo: MMDA/Facebook)

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be relaunching point to point (P2P) buses as an alternate mode of transportation to commuters affected by the glitches and breakdowns of the Metro Rail Transit Line Line 3 (MRT-3) system.

Starting February 1, 10 P2P buses will be deployed at the North Avenue and Quezon Avenue stations with passengers to be dropped off in Ortigas and Ayala. They will be charging a fare of PHP 15 to be subsidized by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The MMDA will also deploy two buses to provide free rides to passengers while the Highway Patrol Group (HGP) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be escorting them to ensure smooth traffic flow.

“We are aiming to have a travel time of one hour for this transport service. We hope that MRT passengers will be availing the P2P buses as an alternate transportation,” MMDA Assistant General Manager for Planning Jojo Garcia said in a press conference Monday.

The government has last deployed the P2P buses for MRT passengers in November but this was discontinued due to lack of coordination among the government agencies according to the MMDA official.
“Yung mga tao na nasa kalsada at naghihintay yan ay sagot ng MMDA para madisiplina sila. Yung mga buses that will participate it is LTFRB’s call. The LTO and HPG will be escorting them. Kailangan bawat isang ahensiya may participation para makita ng taong bayan na nagtutulong tulong sila para masolusyonan ang problema,” Garcia said.

The number of operating trains in the MRT has been reduced to 15 on peak hours to ensure that train coaches are well-maintained before these are deployed to the railway line.

The DOTr has assured the riding public that the first batch of newly procured spare parts for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) will be delivered this February.

The MRT management is also eyeing the deployment of 20 trains with four cars daily, with a headway of three minutes and running 60 kilometers per hour, to address rising passenger demand.