A NEW point-to-point (P2P) service for passengers coming from Fairview going to Makati will be launched on Tuesday, the Transportation Department said Saturday.
The fifth bus route to be operational starting September 16 will kick off from Robinsons Novaliches in Quezon City, before traversing the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue going to Ayala Park Square in Makati CBD.
The buses will be air-conditioned, with a maximum of four seats per row, will have free wi-fi, low entry with wheelchair ramp, off-street loading and unloading and fixed schedules unlike regular buses.
Routes that are already operational for the P2P service from Ortigas to Makati, North Edsa to Ortigas, Ortigas to Makati, and North Edsa to Makati.
Future routes from Alabang to Ortigas, Fairview to Ortigas, Fairview to Cubao, Alabang to BGC, and Alabang to Cubao.
The Transportation Deparment said that the new project will allow passengers “to have a more convenient, reliable, and safe transportation” and “allows shorter travel time” from Fairview area to Makati.
The new buses will also be linked to the Beep automated fare collection system and will have a Persons with Disability-friendly design.
The Dtr is in the process of selecting bus operators for several premium P2P routes, linking several high-traffic origin and destination points, such as Makati, Ortigas Center, Alabang, and Fairview.
The winning premium P2P bus operators have the option to operate an interim service while the required buses are being manufactured.
The buses should be equipped with modern features, such as automatic fare collection system, global positioning system devices, on-board closed-circuit television cameras, and free wifi.
In line with environmental sustainability, buses should be compliant with Euro IV emissions standards or better, or run on clean alternative fuels, such as electric or hybrid vehicles.
To enhance the mobility of persons with special concerns, especially persons with disabilities and the elderly, buses are required to have low floor height, ranging from 0.28 to 0.38 meters, and space for one passenger with wheelchair and a foldable or retractable ramp at entry for easier boarding and alighting.
Bus drivers a paid a fixed salary and benefits, with no incentives for ridership, preventing the on-street competition among buses. Off-street loading and unloading areas will be designated to avoid obstructing the roads.