140 buses deployed during MRT-3 shutdown

An inter-agency task force will deploy 140 buses to service passengers of the MRT-3 which will have a maintenance shutdown during the Holy Week.

The task force is composed of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and InterAgency Council for Traffic (i-ACT).

The buses will be deployed from Holy Monday, April 15, to Holy Wednesday, April 17; and from Black Saturday, April 20, to Easter Sunday, April 21 –from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. – along the MRT-3 northbound and southbound routes.

The staging areas will be located at West Avenue corner EDSA, Quezon City, for the north; and Roxas Boulevard corner EDSA, Pasay City, for the south.

Bus fares will be based on the MRT-3 fare matrix provided that the passenger’s destination is anywhere along the MRT-3 line. Destinations beyond the line will follow the normal bus fares.

The MRT-3 Bus Augmentation Program was finalized during a meeting of government agencies and bus operators and companies last April 10.

The meeting was spearheaded by DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon. It was attended by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Manuel Gonzales, MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Roberto Almadin, LTO NCR Regional Director Clarence Guinto, MRT-3 Human Resource Management Officer Roda Espejo.

Also in attendance were Toll Regulatory Board consultant Alberto Suansing, and Samahang Transport Operator ng Pilipinas Managing Director Juliet de Jesus.

The MRT-3 will resume operations on Monday, April 22, at 5:30 a.m.