DOTC opens 3rd point-to-point bus service in Metro Manila

DOUBLE DECKER BUS / JANUARY 7, 2016. An example of a double-decker bus used in the government’s point-to-point (P2P) bus service in Metro Manila. NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA — The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced the launch of a third point-to-point bus service in Metro Manila, traveling between Alabang and Makati City.

The DOTC said in a joint statement with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday, that this was in line with modernising the public utility bus (PUB) system.

“Residents from southern Metro Manila and parts of Cavite will now have a more convenient transportation option that will provide them significant travel time savings and enhanced passenger experience when traveling to the central business district,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said in the statement.

The winning operator, RRCG Transport, would have pick-up points at Alabang Town Center in Alabang and Greenbelt 1 in Makati, the DOTC said.

“We hope that other bus operators will also join us in our bid to raise the standards for public transportation by offering higher quality services to commuters,” Abaya added.

The point-to-point bus routes that are currently operational are Trinoma-Makati, offered by Froehlich Tours, and Ortigas-Makati, offered by HM Transport.

Another route will be available this week, which is the North EDSA-Ortigas, according to the DOTC.

“More services will be launched in the coming weeks once the operators acquire new buses for the Alabang-Ortigas and Fairview-Makati routes,” the DOTC added.

The point-to-point bus service is a new PUB category created by the DOTC that offers commuters another safe and reliable mode of transportation. It makes possible shorter travel time, as buses depart on a fixed schedule and travel directly from the terminal to the drop-off point, according to the DOTC.  SFM