How to ease MRT woes? Deploy buses

MANILA, Philippines - To ease the crisis in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), the government is putting more buses in the streets. 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) introduced its new “MRT Bus Project” to lessen the impact on the riding public of regular glitches on the railway service.

LTFRB executive director Roberto Cabrera said the government wanted to help ease the long lines of commuters waiting at MRT stations, especially during rush hour.

“It is not to actually get all those passengers and ship them out and replace the MRT, no it’s not that. The purpose of that is to be able to cut the lines and make it faster… the target is to actually bring them out (from the station),” Cabrera said. 

“I believe that instead of standing in the long line in MRT) because it’s rush hour, at least one could actually enjoy a more comfortable ride if you really are not rushing. You could take this alternative and be more comfortable,” he added. 

Cabrera said more than 40 buses will be plying EDSA from North Avenue with drop off points at Quezon Avenue, Ortigas and Ayala. 

Asked if these buses will worsen traffic on EDSA, Cabrera said the 40 buses will be divided into two groups on both bus stops during rush hours. 

“First of all, most of the buses we use are not number coded, assume that we have 40 percent out of the 40 units which are number coded – 16 – and the stretch of EDSA is 40 kilometers more or less, so technically that will be one bus per two kilometers at the same time since we get full support and cooperation,” he said. 

The MRT buses started operations last Monday. They are different from the regular passenger buses since passengers will be paying the same fare as the MRT. 

“It’s the same MRT fare, so those who are riding the MRT won’t have to shell out additional pesos like the ordinary bus fare just to get to Makati,” he said. 

Cabrera added the MRT buses will be allowed to take the underpass and flyovers, allowing passengers to save at least 30 minutes of travel time.

The LTFRB had initiated the same program in 2013, but this was stopped by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for lack of permit and clogging the underpass. 

Cabrera, however, said they have secured permit from the MMDA. 

“We’re helping each other out with the MMDA, we believe that with proper track management that would be resolved, and we’re very careful with that, that’s why we’re monitoring every move,” he said.