LTFRB starts review of special buses to complement upgrading LRT-2

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will soon conduct a feasibility study on the proposed special bus route along the stretch of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 to decongest the number of train passengers.

“The initial information that we have is the significant increase of passengers of the LRT-2 especially during rush hours in the morning and the afternoon. Our goal is to come up with new routes that will serve as alternative mode of transportation for the passengers,” said LTFRB acting chairperson Greg Pua in a statement on Monday.

The planned bus transportation will help passengers traveling from Antipolo City to Recto Avenue in Manila and vice versa.

A similar bus system along EDSA is in place, covering the stretch of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and some stations of the LRT Line 1.

LRT-2, which has been operating for over 27 years, is currently undergoing upgrades which has led to fewer operational trains, resulting in slightly longer waiting times for commuters.

The LTFRB and the Light Rail Transit Authority are identifying the pick-up and drop-off stations, noting that they should be near every LRT-2 station.

“We assure all our kababayan that the LTFRB and the LRTA are now focusing on this matter and will come up with the results of the study in the soonest possible time,” said Pua.

The feasibility study will also include discussions with various local government units including Antipolo City, Pasig City, Marikina City, Quezon City, San Juan City and the City of Manila.

The results of the study will be submitted to the Department of Transportation for approval, the LTFRB said. —RF, GMA News