Edsa express bus service gets share of raves, doubts

One of the ‘express buses’ which make only a few stops along Edsa. PHOTO BY NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

It’s a relief for commuters but seems to be an added burden to bus drivers and conductors.

The pilot run of the government’s “Express Bus Service” along Edsa rolled out on Monday, March 23, to encourage car owners to leave their private vehicles at home and take public transportation.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have said that the project is aimed at easing traffic by reducing the number of private cars along the busiest thoroughfare in the metro and reducing the travel time of commuters.

The express buses, which operate from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., run on three routes: Route E1 (Fairview-Ortigas Avenue/Gil Puyat Avenue LRT station with 20 bus units), Route E2 (Fairview-Ayala Avenue/Gil Puyat Avenue LRT station with 10 bus units), and Route E3 (Fairview-Ayala Avenue MRT station-SM Mall of Asia with 20 bus units).

Not your typical ride

On Thursday, March 25, Jorge Bacani, took the express bus at the MMDA dispatch terminal in Fairview, Quezon City.

Bacani, who works in Ayala Avenue, Makati, rode the bus at 10:25 a.m.

The 30-year-old IT expert said he was interested to find out whether the bus would indeed shorten his travel time.

READ: Edsa ‘express buses’ WiFi-ready, exempt from coding

“I really want to try. Usually my travel time going to Makati takes two-and-a-half hours to three hours,”

According to Adencio Romulo, MMDA supervisor at the dispatch terminal in Fairview, the bus express guarantees a “faster bus service” to commuters like Bacani.

Romulo said the fares for the express buses are the same as those charged by air conditioned buses.

This is good news for Bacani who wants a convenient and a non-stop ride along Edsa.

“Maayos naman ito (this is all right),” he said, adding that he could use more of his time into productive matters rather than be wasted on the road.

At 11:37 a.m., Bacani arrived in Ayala Avenue, a ride which lasted a little over an hour compared to his usual three-hour commute from Fairview.

Alternative Solution

Bacani said the bus express is a good alternative solution to commuters like him.

Asked why he would prefer this than the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3), he said riding the MRT is tiring and could consume a lot of his time.

“Nakakapagod sumakay sa MRT dahil sa siksikan, pipila ka ng almost an hour tapos pagdating sa work pagod ka na,” he said.

(Riding the MRT is strenuous because of the packed crowd and the long lines.)

Inside the bus express, he said he felt relaxed since the bus does not overload and let passengers to stand unlike the common scenarios in regular buses during the rush hour.

Bacani was with 11 other passengers during his trip.

But while it was indeed convenient for him, the driver and conductor of the bus were alarmed.

Drivers and conductors’ dilemma
Gian Perez, conductor of the bus where Bacani rode, was worried with the turnout of their passengers.

READ: ‘Express Connect’ buses off to slow start due to lack of passengers

“Konti lang ‘yung pasahero namin. Kokonti lang din ang kikitain namin,” the 28-year old Perez said.

Some express bus drivers and conductors are worried about the low turnout of passengers. PHOTO BY NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

(There are few passengers, which means less income for us)

While he admitted that the travel time was reduced, so was their income.

He revealed that when they were on their regular trip, they could earn at least P 13,000 with two trips from Fairview to Makati and vice versa.

But with the new bus system, they need to earn it in four trips.

Another bus conductor, Marcelo San Andres, however, was optimistic the bus express would be a hit among passengers.

“Mag cli-click din ito sa mga pasahero. Tiis-tiis muna,” San Andres said.

(This will click among the commuters, we just have to wait.)

He admitted that during their first run on Monday, only a few people rode on their bus.

But as the days progress, he said he could see that passengers are more interested in riding the express buses.

Further study needed

Romulo admitted that further study is needed to look into the bus express system of the government.

He said the DOTC would convene to listen to the feedbacks of commuters and drivers regarding the new system.

But while the new system is ongoing, he warned drivers to follow the designated loading and unloading areas to avoid apprehension and penalty.

He said the express buses are allowed to use the tunnels and flyovers on Edsa for a faster and a more convenient travel. ID