Makati gov’t to extend free shuttle service until MRT operations improve

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 10 years ago

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun-Jun” Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The local government of Makati said it would continue offering free shuttle rides to employees working in Makati while the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) remains congested, Radyo Inquirer 990AM reported.

The report said Makati Mayor Junjun Binay promised to extend the service, which involves buses picking up passengers from North Avenue and dropping them off at Ayala, until the MRT improves its performance.

For the past several months, MRT and Light Rail Transit (LRT) passengers have been complaining about the long lines and recurring break down of trains.

Binay said they consider it an “emergency situation” that requires government action.

The mayor appealed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on “compassionate grounds” to allow their shuttles to continue operation without further problems.

The Makati government and the LTFRB are not seeing eye to eye when it comes to the shuttle services, which, the agency said, needs a special permit to operate. The local government called LTFRB’s conditions and requirements “improper and unreasonable.”