EDSA express buses ready to go

MANILA, Philippines - The scheduled pilot test of the EDSA “express bus” system tomorrow will push through, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Friday.

In a press briefing at the MMDA office, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said 50 passenger buses to run on three routes would be ready to ferry passengers from Fairview to stations at the Makati central business district (CBD) and at the SM Mall of Asia. The pilot run of the express bus service will last for two months, the MMDA said.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said the specially tagged “Express Connect” buses would operate daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Passengers intending to go to either to the Makati CBD and the Mall of Asia simply need to board at the MMDA’s dispatch terminal in Fairview and at various terminals of the three routes. 

The express bus system will run on three routes: Route E1 (Fairview-Ortigas Avenue/Gil Puyat Avenue LRT station), Route E2 (Fairview-Ayala Avenue/Gil Puyat Avenue LRT station), and Route E3 (Fairview-Ayala Avenue MRT station-SM Mall of Asia rotunda).

Ginez said passengers would have to buy their tickets from conductors inside the buses. He said fares for the express buses would be the same as the ones now being charged by air-conditioned buses.

Commuters can expect an express bus arriving at each station every five minutes (during peak hours) and every 10 minutes (non-peak hours).

Express buses running on the E1 route will have the following stations:  Fairview, Litex/COA, Batasan, Ortigas, Megamall, Ayala Avenue. Gil Puyat LRT station and the Cultural Center of the Philippines parking area (Roxas Boulevard).

Express buses running on the E2 route will have the following stations: Fairview, Litex/COA, Batasan, Ayala Avenue, Gil Puyat LRT station and the CPP parking area.

Express buses running on the E3 route will have the following stations: Fairview, Litex/COA, Batasan, Ayala MRT station and SM Mall of Asia rotunda.