DOTr mulls more bus stops on EDSA after commuters suffer on first day of GCQ

The Department of Transportation deployed 90 buses to augment the services of the MRT on EDSA but the sheer number of commuters and the limited bus stops on the main thoroughfare proved they were not enough.

According to Bernadette Reyes' report on "24 Oras" on Monday, only four pick up and drop off points were allotted for passengers.

The pick up and drop off points include the North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Ayala Avenue and Taft Avenue.

“From Las Piñas, naglakad ako hanggang coastal then akala ko may bus na siya, wala pa pala, pumunta ako dito para makasakay eh apat na station lang ang binababaan so out of way ako, mag-MRT tuloy ako,” Madison Malabag, a commuter, said.

Following the commuters' harrowing experiences, the DOTr said it was eyeing to put more pick up and drop off points near the Ortigas and Cubao stations.

“Dahil sa median lane ang ginagamit natin, kung magdadagdag tayo ng loading and unloading stations so lalabas galing median lane papuntang outer lane so ‘yon ‘yong gma mina-manage natin,” Transportation Undersecretary Timothy Batan said.

Aside from EDSA, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra said there will also be bus augmentations along the routes of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 and 2.

“Kung saan may mga riles ng tren, kagaya ng LRT1, LRT2 at MRT3, binuksan na po natin ng bus service na ‘yan para tutulong doon sa kakulangan ng kapasidad ng riles,” Delgra said. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News