BY ALEXANDRIA SAN JUAN
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AT least 28 new routes have been opened by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for more than 200 point-to-point (P2P) buses to ferry more commuters as Metro Manila and nearby provinces enter the second week of a more relaxed lockdown.
The DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said in a statement that a total of 268 buses will be deployed to serve commuters in the National Capital Region (NCR), as well as in Imus, Bacoor, Dasmariñas, and Noveleta in Cavite; Sta. Rosa and Calamba in Laguna; Cainta and Antipolo in Rizal; Malolos, Balagtas, Pandi, Sta. Maria, and Plaridel in Bulacan; and to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Sangley Airport in Cavite.
These newly-identified routes include Las Piñas-Makati; Sucat/PITX-Makati; Eastwood-Makati; Fairview-Makati; Alabang-Makati; Alabang-Ortigas; Alabang-BGC; Antipolo-Ortigas CBD; Antipolo-Makati CBD; Cainta-Makati; Imus-Makati; Noveleta-Makati, Sangley Airport/ Cavite City-NAIA, Makati-Bacoor, Makati-Dasmarinas, Alabang-
Bacoor, Alabang-Dasmariñas, Taguig-Makati, Taguig-Ortigas, Malolos-North EDSA, Sta. Maria/Bocaue-North EDSA, Balagtas (Bulacan)-North EDSA, Pandi (Bulacan)-North EDSA, Plaridel (Bulacan)-North EDSA, Sta. Rosa, (Laguna)-Makati City, Calamba (Laguna)- Makati, Calamba-BGC/ Fort Bonifacio, and Calamba-Lawton
According to the LTFRB, the P2P buses have been issued special permits as part of the control measures being enforced under the general community quarantine, and abide by its conditions which include health and safety protocols set by the DOTr and health authorities to ensure safety of passengers and bus personnel.
The DOTr reminded operators and drivers to strictly observe preventive measures such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and gloves, and the thorough and regular disinfecting of the buses and bus terminals.
Meanwhile, four city bus routes were launched on Monday to service more essential commuters going to different parts of the greater Manila area. These include Route 3 from Monumento to the Valenzuela Gateway Complex; Route 11 from Gilmore to Taytay, Rizal; Route 13 from Buendia to BGC; and Route 21 from Monumento to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
