MMDA shuttles roll out for mall, Naia crowds

MANILA, Philippines—Starting Friday at 11 p.m., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be deploying “Christmas shuttles” to selected malls on Edsa to help shoppers get home at the end of mall hours.

At the same time, commuters bound for Terminals 2 and 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) can avail themselves of free rides—complete with an MMDA motorcycle escort—to ensure that they are not late for their flights.

In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, MMDA assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos said four passenger buses would be deployed to each of the 10 selected malls on Edsa at 11 p.m., starting this Friday to pick up home-bound shoppers.

The buses would ply their usual routes and charge passengers regular fares, although Carlos said the MMDA had yet to finalize some minor details, including where exactly the buses would be stationed at the malls.

For example, a passenger bus plying the Alabang route may be assigned to pick up passengers at SM Megamall.

The airport shuttles, on the other hand, would also be passenger buses escorted by MMDA personnel on motorcycles, Carlos said.

“If they are escorted by the ‘cycle,’ it may be easier for [motorists to get to the airport],” he added.

According to Carlos, the MMDA was still looking for a place where it could put up a terminal for the airport shuttles in the Baclaran area.

The Christmas shuttle project was the latest traffic-related MMDA measure for the holidays, following the designation of alternative routes or “loops” for private motorists and the changing of store hours at malls so as not to aggravate rush-hour congestion.