Holiday Non-Stop Bus Extends Service

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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has granted an extension of the special permit for the temporary Premium Point-to-Point (P2P) Bus Service until January 31 in view of the popularity of the service.

“We are pleased with the positive reception of the bus service, given the increase in ridership over the holidays. The service offers the riding public access to a convenient transportation option that can attract private car owners to shift to public transportation,” said Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya.

The premium P2P bus service is a new public utility vehicle (PUV) sub-category created by the DOTC that offers commuters another safe and reliable mode of transportation. It allows shorter travel time, as buses depart on a fixed schedule and travel directly from the terminal to the drop-off point.

“Aside from providing significant travel time savings and enhanced passenger experience, this can lessen the number of cars on the road and make more efficient use of road space through higher-capacity vehicles,” added Abaya.

The Non-Stop Bus Service currently plies three (3) routes: SM North EDSA – Glorietta 5, Trinoma – Glorietta 5, and SM Megamall to Glorietta 5. Details of the service are as follows:

Originally until January 6, the bus service is currently operated by Fröhlich Tours, a tourist transport operator, under a special permit issued by the LTFRB.

Premium P2P Bus Service to be Awarded this Month
The LTFRB is in the process of selecting bus operators for several premium P2P routes, linking several high-traffic origin and destination points, such as Makati, Ortigas Center, Alabang, and Fairview starting June 2016. The winning premium P2P bus operators have the option to operate an interim service while the required buses are being manufactured.

The buses should be equipped with modern features, such as automatic fare collection system, global positioning system devices, on-board closed-circuit television cameras, and free wifi. In line with environmental sustainability, buses should be compliant with Euro IV emissions standards or better, or run on clean alternative fuels, such as electric or hybrid vehicles.

To enhance the mobility of persons with special concerns, especially persons with disabilities and the elderly, buses are required to have low floor height, ranging from 0.28 to 0.38 meters, and space for one passenger with wheelchair and a foldable or retractable ramp at entry for easier boarding and alighting.

Bus drivers a paid a fixed salary and benefits, with no incentives for ridership, preventing the on-street competition among buses. Off-street loading and unloading areas will be designated to avoid obstructing the roads.

Aside from the premium P2P bus service, other PUV sub-categories have been previously established by the DOTC, which include the airport bus and the rapid bus transit, with similar contemporary features and increased service levels, as part of the transport agency’s bus reform program.

Photo credit to Inquirer.net

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