A new transport terminal set to open in two weeks is seen to ease traffic congestion in Manila, which a recent study said is costing the Philippines P3.5 billion daily.
The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), which would be inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte and other top officials on Nov. 5, is expected to reduce the number of provincial buses plying Metro Manila, specifically along Taft Avenue-Pasay, EDSA, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
The opening of the PITX would facilitate the "moving out of provincial bus terminals in Metro Manila" which would impact traffic congestion, Colonel Edison Nebrija, commander of the Special Task Force Operations of the Metro Manila Development Authority, told CNN Philippines.
"It will surely help us decongest metropolis. Lahat kasi ng [All the] provincial terminal will be out in EDSA," Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago told CNN Philippines.
According to the DOTr, the PITX can accommodate up to 100,000 passengers daily and has a peak hour passenger volume of 4,380 arrivals and 3,808 departures. It is expected to handle around 1,060 arrivals and 949 departures.
The P3.5 billion three-level terminal is located along Coastal Road and houses a departure bay for buses, jeepneys and taxis on the ground floor, arrival bays for buses on the second floor, and parking spaces, AUV bays and a link to the proposed LRT-1 extension project at the third floor. Five floors of office spaces would also be available for lease.
The DOTr says it is the first integrated and multi-modal terminal in southwestern Metro Manila and would serve as a transport point for provincial buses from Cavite and Batangas, and in-city modes of transportation.
'World-class landport'
The PITX, called by the DOTr as a "landport," has waiting areas, free Wi-Fi access, drinking water stations, traveler's workstation areas, charging points, locker facilities and telephone booths.
It also has a centralized shopping center which offers a wide variety of retail, food and a supermarket for passengers. Park-ride facilities and maintenance areas for minor repairs of vehicles are also available.
The DOTr says health and wellness amenities are also ready, including baby care rooms, breastfeeding stations, clinic, prayer room, pay lounge, restrooms, and senior citizen and persons with disabilities-friendly facilities.
The PITX is monitored 24 hours through CCTV and also has a 24-hour feedback center.
Sumber: CNN Philippines
