MMDA to deploy Christmas shuttle service starting Dec. 5

MANILA, Philippines -The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will dispatch shuttle services to major malls along Edsa starting 11 p.m. on December 5 as part of its "12 Christmas-Related Efforts."

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said this measure will complement the adjusted mall operating hours, which is already being implemented around the capital.

Tolentino said that it is also in response to the concerns by mall employees and shoppers of the apparent lack of enough public utility vehicles during nighttime, when the Metro Rail Transit is no longer in operation.

Four public utility buses, with stickers bearing the words "MMDA Christmas Shuttle," will be dispatched to six major malls to ensure that mall employees and last-minute shoppers will be ferried to their various destinations.

The six malls included in the shuttle service provision are Starmall, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, Eton Centris, and Trinoma Mall. 

The MMDA will deploy a dispatcher to each of the participating mall.

Tolentino said passengers will be charged with the regular fares set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. 

"Although the shuttle is not free, it will surely provide convenient and hassle-free travel to the public and mall employees," he said.

The shuttle service will last until Jan. 5, 2015.