LTFRB. Screengrab from ltfrb.gov.ph
MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday partially granted the request of the Makati City Government to waive some of the requirements for its free shuttle service.
The LTFRB, in a board order made available to INQUIRER.net, said it will no longer require the passengers to purchase a single journey Metro Rail Transit (MRT) ticket to avail the service.
However, it will still require passengers to present a valid ID as proof that he or she is working in Makati.
It thumbed down the Makati government’s argument that all commuters going to Makati should benefit from the project.
“The very title of the said Ordinance which is [titled] ‘An Ordinance Making Available Free Shuttle Service During Weekdays to All Employees Working in the City of Makati, Subject to Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations,’ reveals that the intended beneficiaries of the free shuttle service are ‘all employees working in the City of Makati,’” the order said.
The local government first came out with the free shuttle service after the MRT encountered congestion and operational problems leading to long lines and delays.
However, the LTFRB asked the city to first apply for a special permit to operate.
Makati’s shuttle service fetches passengers from North Avenue and drops them off at Ayala during the morning’s rush hour.
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