LTFRB approves permits for 20 buses to augment LRT-2 services

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved special permits for 20 buses to serve two routes between Antipolo City, Rizal, and Metro Manila as part of efforts to ease congestion among Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) commuters.

The buses will serve the Antipolo-Legarda route in Manila and the Antipolo-Cubao route in Quezon City, with half of the fleet also assigned to augment LRT-2 services from its Antipolo Station in Masinag.

LTFRB Acting Chair Greg Pua said the permits were issued in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) initiative to provide additional public transportation amid the limited number of operational LRT-2 trains.

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The move comes as the railway struggles to accommodate the growing number of passengers with its limited fleet of operational trains.

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During an inspection at the LRT-2 Masinag Station in Antipolo City on Wednesday, Nov. 4, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said up to 4,000 passengers could not be accommodated during the morning rush hour, between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

READ: Dizon: Buses with discounted fares augment LRT-2 service starting Nov. 4

“During peak hours from 6 to 8 a.m., [almost] 4,000 people are not able to be served by LRT-2,” he said.

Dizon added that commuters sometimes had to wait 30 to 45 minutes before boarding a train.

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He attributed the growing queues partly to increased passenger demand following the implementation of a 50-percent fare discount on LRT and MRT lines in March.

The bus service is intended to provide an alternative for commuters who cannot immediately board trains.

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“The LTFRB shares the same goal of providing alternative modes of transportation for LRT-2 passengers, especially during the morning and afternoon rush hours, who just want to go to work and back home as early as possible,” Pua said.

READ: DOTr: LTFRB, LRTA to look into LRT-2 route for PUBs

He added that the buses would also help passengers save on transportation costs by reducing the need to take additional rides, such as tricycles, to reach their destinations.

Routes and fares

Under the special permits, 10 buses will ply the Antipolo-Legarda route via Marcos Highway, E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue and España Boulevard. Another 10 will serve the Antipolo-Cubao route via Marcos Highway and P. Tuazon Boulevard.

The routes will provide access to schools and other key destinations in Metro Manila.

The Legarda-bound buses will pass near schools in the University Belt, including the University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University and University of the East, as well as Trinity University of Asia.

Meanwhile, the Cubao-bound buses will bring passengers closer to the EDSA Busway and MRT-3 stations.

Pua said designated bus stops would be used for orderly passenger boarding and alighting.

READ: LRT-2 line to run limited trains amid revamping works

The regular fare from Antipolo to Legarda is P80, but Dizon said commuters would pay a discounted fare of P66. Students would pay P55.

Each bus can accommodate 45 seated passengers, with a maximum capacity of 70 passengers, including those standing.

Trial run

The DOTr began the trial run of the 20 buses on Wednesday, Nov. 4, to assess passenger demand and travel times along the routes.

Dizon said the department would also study the possibility of establishing a busway system along Marcos Highway, similar to the EDSA Busway, to improve bus operations.

The trial would help determine whether additional buses would be needed based on commuter demand.

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“The number of augmentation units could increase based on actual passenger demand and future operational requirements,” Pua said. /jpv