MMDA, LTFRB ‘express connect’ buses to start trips Monday

Aiming to provide a novel solution to the worsening traffic conditions in the Metro, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) “express connect” bus service will start Monday, the LTFRB said.

The buses, which will ply three routes, aims to cut commuting times by only stopping at designated stops. An initial 50 buses will be departing from the Fairview terminal station Monday.

In an earlier report on GMA News’ Saksi, LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said the buses will be on the road from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.



The express connect system will run on three routes:

Express 1

Southbound:
Fairview
Litex/Coa
Ortigas
Ayala Ave
Gil Puyat LRT 1
Roxas Blvd

Northbound:
Roxas Blvd
Gil Puyat
Ayala Ave
Megamall
Batasan
Fairview

Express 2

Southbound:
Fairview
Litex/Coa
Ayala Ave
Gil Puyat LRT 1
Roxas Blvd

Northbound:
Roxas Blvd
Gil Puyat
Ayala Ave
Batasan
Fairview

Express 3

Southbound:
Fairview
Litex/COA
Ayala MRT
Mall of Asia

Northbound:
Mall of Asia
Ayala MRT
Batasan
Fairview

According to MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, the buses will only stop for 20 seconds at each destination, to allow disembarking passengers to get off and new passengers to get on. Buses will leave the Fairview terminal every five minutes, and will have free wifi on board.

The special buses will also be allowed to use EDSA flyovers, tunnels and mixed traffic lanes. However, Ginez clarified that no new franchise was awarded to any bus company, saying the pioneering 50 buses were all part of the fleets of established companies.

Passengers will also be charged the same fare they normally pay when riding regular air-conditioned buses, Tolentino said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/BM, GMA News