DOTr claims P2P bus service is one solution to traffic congestion

The Department of Transportation on Tuesday said the point-to-point (P2P) bus service is one of the many solutions to the gridlock plaguing the country, but the public must support it by patronizing the service in order to succeed.

It can help decongest roads, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said during the launch of the Alabang-Ortigas route in Starmall Alabang.

“This P2P will help alleviate traffic congestion if only people will cooperate and use it. I believe that a smoother flow of traffic will help us uplift the lives of our citizens,” he said.

The Alabang-Ortigas route brings to six the existing P2P routes operating in Metro Manila:

• Trinoma to Glorietta 5 in Makati/Centris to Glorietta

• Robinsons Galleria to Park Square Makati

• Alabang Town Center to Greenbelt 1

• SM North EDSA to SM Megamall

• Fairview to Makati

• Alabang to Ortigas

The P2P service caters to more than 16,000 passengers daily, according to the DOTr. The P2P bus service is operated by RRCG Transport.

"Currently, the DOTr is supportive of ride-sharing services that offers public access to a cost-effective and quality transportation option that will encourage private car owners to leave their vehicles at home," the DOTr said in a statement.

The P2P bus service provides free Wi-Fi, CCTV and an on-board GPS. The Alabang-Ortigas route service is from 8:00am to 6:00am. For the holiday season, the RRCG has arranged for an on-board acoustic session. The Alabang-Ortigas route charges an introductory fare of P80.

Here is the bus route and the service schedule:

With Tugade at the launch were RRCG President Robbie Torres and former Senator Manny Villar. — VS, GMA News