‘LEFTIST’ One of the buses with left-facing doors deployed by HM Transit earlier this week. The Department of Transportation says it hopes to make commuting easier for passengers that use the busway.—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
To ensure the safety of passengers, buses with doors located on the left side of the vehicle have started plying the Edsa busway route, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced.
According to the Mega Manila Consortium, one of the two transport groups that operate the busway, at least three buses equipped with doors on both sides were deployed earlier this week by HM Transport Inc.
More would be dispatched by bus company RRCG within the week, while another seven were expected to be added by September, it added.
Transport Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor said the deployment of these buses was expected to make commuting safer along the dedicated bus lane found on the innermost lane of Edsa. Because of the busway’s location, passengers are exposed to passing vehicles on the busy thoroughfare when they get off regular buses with doors that open on the right side.
“These bus units will better accommodate commuters who will now be using the new loading and unloading bus stops located on the innermost lane of Edsa. Aside from the installation of canopies and lighting fences, we have also placed concrete barriers and steel separators on Edsa’s median lanes to ensure utmost safety and comfort,” Pastor added in a statement.
At the moment, nearly 300 buses ply the busway, which runs from Monumento to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange. These are among the 3,662 buses currently allowed to operate 31 routes across Metro Manila although the LTFRB promised to open four more within the next week.
All public utility vehicles are required to follow existing health protocols.