By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) have begun work on a proposed bus route for the LRT-2 line, modeled on the EDSA Busway, with designated pick-up and drop-off points at the nearest stations.
In a statement on Monday, Acting LTFRB chairperson Greg Pua Jr. said coordination is ongoing with the LRTA for a fast, comfortable and reliable bus service from Antipolo City to Recto Avenue and back.
“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 an alternative mode of transportation for the passengers,” Pua said.
An earlier assessment showed LRT-2 passengers endure long queues and congestion that extends from station platforms to the lower levels and surrounding streets, resulting in prolonged waiting times.
The coordination also covers identifying pick-up and drop-off stations, which must be located at the nearest LRT-2 stations since the buses would serve as an alternative during congestion and train operation issues.
The study will also involve the local government units of Antipolo City, Pasig City, Marikina City, Quezon City, San Juan and Manila.
“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,” he said, adding that the agency understands the urgency of the situation as those affected are students and workers who do not want to be late in the morning and want to get home as soon as possible during the afternoon rush.
The results and recommendations will be submitted to Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez for review and approval.
Last week, Lopez ordered the LTFRB and the LRTA to study the issuance of special permits for buses that would run the LRT-2 route from Antipolo Station to Recto Station and back, and apologized to affected passengers.
He also noted that funding for additional trainsets would take at least three years before new trains could be delivered
