Free bus ride with police escort for Makati employees

MANILA, Philippines - Some 250 passengers were ferried for free by buses and coasters deployed by the Makati City government Thursday morning from the MRT North Avenue station in Quezon City to the Stock Exchange building in Ayala Avenue.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said he has ordered the deployment of two city-owned buses and four city-owned coasters to serve workers bound for Ayala Avenue who are affected by the heavy traffic on EDSA and the disruptions in the MRT’s operations.

“We would like to help ease the burden of commuters who work in Makati by offering them, free of charge, a convenient way to beat rush hour traffic and get to work on time. Although they are not Makati residents, they are nonetheless Makati constituents because as employees they contribute to our economy,” Binay said.

Binay said the results of Thursday’s initial run showed great promise. The convoy of coasters and buses was even escorted along EDSA by the Makati City Police.

“We plan to do it on a regular basis, at least while waiting for more viable and long-term solutions to the traffic situation along EDSA,” he said.

In his report to Binay, Makati Police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban said the six-vehicle convoy, left North Avenue at 6 a.m. and reached the Makati Stock Exchange Building in just 28 minutes.

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Lukban said the second trip, which left the pick-up point at 7:15 a.m., took an hour and 15 minutes to reach the Stock Exchange building in Ayala Avenue because of increased traffic volume.

“The Makati Police deployed six patrol cars to provide route security escort to the convoy and also provide police visibility. We were also assisted by Makati Public Safety (MAPSA) personnel in ensuring the safety of passengers while boarding and for the duration of the trips to Ayala,” Lukban said.

The free shuttle service offering point-to-point, non-stop trips was conceptualized by Binay to serve Makati-based employees, who have to contend with long lines at MRT-3 stations and frequent breakdowns of MRT trains.

Source: philstar.com - Nation