Makati waives ID requirement for free shuttle service

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to no longer require its shuttle riders to buy a Metro Rail Transit (MRT) ticket.

At the same time, Binay said he had asked the city council to waive the requirement for riders to first present a company ID before they would be allowed to take the shuttle ferrying passengers from North Edsa to Ayala Avenue for free.

“We are thankful to the LTFRB for acting on our request. We are sure this will be a big relief to our kababayan who take the MRT every day. I have also asked our city council to amend the ordinance [on the free shuttle services] and waive the ID requirement. These are, after all, express rides to Makati and we would like to open the service to all those who work or have business in Makati, for example, job applicants and those who are self-employed,” he said in a statement.

Earlier, Makati officials asked the transport board to forgo the conditions set in its May 16 order for the granting of a special permit for the city government’s shuttle service.

The Makati government started offering free shuttle rides in April for the convenience of commuters seeking an alternative means of transport in anticipation of heavier traffic due to simultaneous road rehabilitation projects on Edsa and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.