Transport officials ready bus stops along EDSA

Transport officials on Sunday inspected the bus stops along EDSA for carousel-type buses, which they said are now ready to accommodate even senior citizens and persons with disability (PWD) commuters.

According to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Senior Consultant Alberto Suansing, the bus stops will only cater to accredited carousel-type and point-to-point buses.

"Unang una, kakaunti lang 'yung bus na iikot dito unlike before, you have 2,800 buses na dadaan dito. Right now ang dadaan lang dito sa busway is 'yung 550 na bus para dito sa carousel tsaka yung P2P na bus," he said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

"Tsaka 'yung mangyayari diyaan, hindi kagaya noon, bumababad 'yung bus sa bus stop kasi nagaantay ng pasahero, ito after two minutes takbo. Nawal magantay ng matagal tsaka bawal mag-karera," he added.

For her part, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialogo assured that the bus stops are safe for commuters even senior citizens and PWDs.

"'Yun ating pong mga bus stops, 14 out 16, ay tapos na. So meron nang mga fences ito, malinis na. Meron na ring mga marking para tiyakin 'yung safety ng ating mga commuter, may mga barrier," she said in the same report.

"Maayos na rin po 'yung aakyatan ng ating mga commuters," she added.

According to Pialogo, ramps have also been put up to accommodate those in wheelchairs.

"'Yung mga tapos na po nating bus stop ay PWD friendly na po ito -- may mga ramps, so mainam pong malaman ng ating mga kababayan kasi 'yung mga expectations nila baka nagaantay sila ng elveator, wala po doon sa mga bus stops yon," she added.

To recall, the DOTr earlier announced a two-phased approach in the resumption of public transportation, following three months of lockdowns.

P2P buses were allowed to resume operations starting June 1, but provincial buses have yet to be allowed as this would require the approval of the respective local governments. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News