QUEZON City (September 9) – The MRT bus has been approved last July 27 and has started its day-to-day operations, Monday to Friday, starting 6:00 o’clock till 9:00 o’clock in the morning, with four different routes.
The MRT Bus is an alternative method or mode of public transportation offered by the MRT to its passengers to lessen the number of commuters which is the cause of the infamously long lines in the MRT. But many people are reluctant to avail of the said alternative because based on their experience, it is hard to believe that said bus will not be stuck in EDSA which is notorious for its heavy traffic jams. Others, however, are in favor of said alternative mode because they are aware of the many passengers making use of the MRT and by riding said express buses, they are able to avoid the overcrowded trains of the MRT, arriving in their destination in a comfortable manner.
There are actually many benefits of availing the services of the MRT bus.
First, you will arrive in your destination relatively relaxed and rested since you will be guaranteed a seat in the MRT bus and as such will not be forced to stand like in the MRT.
Second is safety. Because the MRT bus is not overcrowded like the MRT, you will be safe from the evil intent of thieves and perverts who take advantage of the overcrowding for their nefarious purposes.
Finally, you will still get to your destination relatively faster compared to the regular bus because the MRT bus is exempted from the coding system. Also, it operates in a non-stop manner, meaning it will only stop in its appointed station, like the MRT.
The Metro Manila Development Authority accepted the fact that the MRT bus project will add to the heavy traffic since, according to the Land Transportation and Franchising Board and the Department of Transportation and Communication, the project will 40 buses to the already-besieged EDSA.
But still, the MMDA beg for public understanding, asking the commuters to give the MRT bus project a chance, so that said government agency can find out if the said project actually works and achieve its twins goals of alleviating the hassle of MRT as well as getting the commuters in their workplaces on time.
The 40 MRT buses were distributed in four different routes: the North Avenue to Ayala route; the North Avenue to Ortigas-Shaw route; the Quezon Avenue to Ayala route and, finally, the Quezon Avenue to Ortigas-Shaw route. The MRT buses cannot pick-up passengers along the route and will only stop on their designated stations. The travel fee is the same as that of the MRT train.
(written by Cleeve Lemuel Carpio, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)