Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27) — At least six bus stops along EDSA will be operational by next week, an official from the Metro Manila Development Authority said Saturday.
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia told CNN Philippines that bus drivers could only drop off and pick up passengers at identified points in North Avenue, Quezon Ave, Main Avenue, Santolan, Ortigas and Guadalupe on “Monday or Tuesday.”
Garcia said the bus stops, which are in the middle portion of the major thoroughfare, are attached to stairs leading to the MRT stations. This means that passengers must enter train stations to get to the bus stops.
“Iyon muna, kasi nandun yung dedicated lane natin, yung bus lane,” Garcia added.
[Translation: Those are the stops for now because the dedicated bus lane is located there.]
Meanwhile, authorities will put a foot bridge along Main Avenue which commuters could use to go to the bus stations, the official said.
Mass transportation had been suspended for more than two months since Luzon and other parts of the country were placed under enhanced community quarantine in mid-March to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In the first phase of reopening mass transport in Metro Manila, only trains, augmentation buses, taxis, Transport Network Vehicle Service like Grab, shuttle services, point-to-point buses and bicycles have been allowed to return to roads to ferry passengers since June 1.
Modern jeepneys also resumed operations on June 22 while UV Express units are expected to be allowed to ply the roads on June 29.
Meanwhile, the operations of provincial buses remain suspended.
