Express Bus Gets a Green Light from DOTC, LTFRB and MMDA

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Transportation Communication (DOTC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has given the “Express Bus” initiative a nod and here are some of the important things you need to know about it.

The “Express Connect” is a joint initiative spearheaded by DOTC, LTFRB and MMDA in participation with a handful of bus operators with the goal of “enticing the public not to use private cars but instead take public utility vehicle” and cutting the amount of time needed to traverse the country’s main thoroughfare.

The said initiative, which is currently in pilot testing, kicked off earlier today and will last for 60 days.

A total of 10 bus operators participated in this joint effort, all of which have franchise to operate in the Fairview to LRT-Ayala/SM Mall of Asia route.

ES Transport Inc.
Everlasting Transport Co
Fermina Express Corp.
Gloren Transport Service
Jayross LS Tours Bus Co Inc
Kellen Transport Inc
NAIA Metrolink
Taguig Metro Link Bus Corp.
UBE Express
Worthy Transport Inc.

There are currently a total of 50 buses in the “Express Connect” initiative which will operate from 4AM to 10PM. All of these buses will follow a specific route with designated loading/unloading stops and will only be allowed to stay there 20 seconds tops.

In exchange, “Express Buses” will be allowed to use fly-overs and tunnels in EDSA, provided that the drivers are to take extra precautions in traversing the main thoroughfare. Furthermore, these buses will also gain immunity from number coding scheme, provided that they stay near the center lane.

“Kung gaano kaingat yung sa yellow lane dapat mas doble kaingat yung sa express lane dahil dadaan sila sa tunnel and flyover dahil pagnagkaroon ng aksidente ay mahirap ayusin,”

– MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino

The “Express Connect” initiative comprises of three (3) routes that will travel from Fairview station and will have different designated stops to pick up and unload passengers. Here are the three Express Routes with their respective stations/stops:

E1 Route – Fairview > Litex/COA > Batasan > Ortigas/Megamall > Ayala Avenue > Gil Puyat LRT Station > Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) parking grounds.
E2 Route – Fairview > Litex/COA > Batasan > Ayala Avenue > Gil Puyat LRT Station > Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) parking grounds.
E3 Route – Fairview > Litex/COA > Batasan > Ayala MRT Station > SM Mall of Asia Rotunda

LTFRB and MMDA claims that if everything goes according to plan, commuters can expect an “Express Bus” to arrive at each of the designated stations every five (5) minutes during peak hours, and every ten (10) minutes during off-peak hours.

As for the fare, LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said that “Express Connect” buses will follow the same pricing scheme implemented on air-conditioned buses. He adds that passengers will still have to purchase bus passes from the the conductor inside, as they normally would on an ordinary bus.

Have ridden an Express Bus earlier today? How’s your experience? Share your thoughts on the comments field below.

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