Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) – A local official seeks the suspension of an integrated transport terminal in Parañaque just months after it opened.
Cavite Governor Boying Remulla said the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is causing more inconvenience to passengers instead of easing commuting burdens.
“They should not force it upon the people now. It is a source of inconveniece for Caviteños and it supposed to be completely intermodal including the train passing through and right now there are no trains,” he said.
The Light Rail Transit One extension to Cavite is three years behind schedule.
The PITX is the first integrated and multi-modal terminal in the southwestern part of Metro Manila.
It functions as a transfer point among provincial buses from Cavite, Batangas and in-city modes of transportation.
PITX General Manager Chuks Arroyo said they are working with the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to provide additional routes.
Speaking to CNN Philippines Thursday, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Road Transport Mark de Leon said the number of complaints they received about PITX operations have gone down in the past months.
“The people have been acclimatized to the operations of the PITX…The DOTr has already done the evaluation, the analysis of the PITX. We have been addressing some of the problems sent by commuters,” he said.
Around 20 new routes have also been opened, he said, and they are just waiting for operators to apply for these new routes.
The PITX was expected to reduce the number of provincial buses plying Metro Manila, specifically along Taft Avenue-Pasay, EDSA.
In a statement last year, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said, “This is not just your ordinary terminal, but a landmark transportation hub that is set to uplift the overall terminal experience of our countrymen. Para po ito sa inyong lahat [This is for all of you].”
CNN Philippines correspondent Crissy Dimatulac contributed to this report.
Cavite governor calls for suspension of PITX operations pic.twitter.com/MT4M7RNrQ7
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 27, 2019
DOTr: We're working with MMDA for new city bus routes pic.twitter.com/269DOoblm3
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 27, 2019
