MMDA free bus service disappoints commuters

The government’s new point-topoint bus service, an alternative to the troubled Metro Rail Transit 3, failed to meet the expectations of the commuters to bring them to their destinations on time.

During the test run, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) dispatched four shuttle buses at North Avenue that gave passengers free rides going to south.

From North Avenue in Quezon City, the travel time of the buses going to Ayala Avenue in Makati was an hour and 15 minutes. Travel time through MRT ride is only 30 minutes.

The first bus, with only 11 passengers, left at North Avenue Station at 7:20 am and arrived on Ayala Avenue at 8:20 am.

“Many were not aware of the P2P buses, which is why few commuters took the ride,” said Bong Nebrija, MMDA operations supervisor.

The three other buses were filled with 50 passengers each. All of them were escorted by Land Transportation Office’s motorcycle riding enforcers and mobile cars with lights and sirens.

Passengers who took the ride said P2P buses run slow and got stuck in traffic along the way.

“We thought the escorts would help in bring us to Makati faster,” said a commuter.

Private vehicles were also found using the yellow lane which is exclusive for public utility vehicles.

Jojo Garcia, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, appealed to private motorists not to use the yellow lanes to give way to the P2P buses.

“We will start ticketing motorists who will be caught using the yellow lane next week after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean),” said Garcia.

Despite criticisms, Garcia gave the agency a rating of 7 out 10, vowing to come up with traffic measures on how to ease traffic flow along Edsa.

“What we want is to provide commuters alternative modes of transport and reduce the lines at MRT stations. We are not trying to compete with the MRT’s speed,” said Garcia.

On Friday, private bus operators will deploy buses that will charge commuters ₱24.