CLARK FREEPORT—The link between the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Manila and the Clark International Airport (CIA) here has been bolstered with the launch of the point-to-point (P2P) bus service by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), in partnership with the Genesis Transport Service Inc. (GTSI), on Thursday last week.
The DOTr said the P2P service will stop at Robinsons Galleria, Resorts World Manila and TriNoma.
The trip from Clark to the Naia costs P350 while the fare is pegged at P300 if passengers are getting off at Robinson’s Galleria and P250 at TriNoma.
The buses have reclining seats, Wi-fi, global-positioning system, closed-circuit television units and other safety features.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade was on hand during the launch of the P2P service. He said the government plans to transfer a number of domestic and international flights from the Naia to the CIA.
Apart from decongesting Metro Manila, Tugade said Clark is being eyed as the hub in Central Luzon.
He said the award of the franchise of the Clark-Naia P2P service to GTSI underwent public bidding.
He said the government would add more P2P routes to improve travel in the country.
Thomas M. Orbos, DOTr undersecretary for road transport, said the government would launch six other routes from Clark within the year. These are the Clark to Lubao, Pampanga; Dagupan, Pangasinan; Subic, Zambales; Malolos, Bulacan; Tarlac and San Jose, Nueva Ecija.
GTSI will be fielding 48 brand-new buses for the P2P service.
“We are expecting a decent market. Run the buses and the passengers will come,” GTSI Operations Manager Rely Jalbuna said.
GTSI is the first bus to get a franchise after a 20-year moratorium on the grant of provincial bus franchises, the first P2P bus service for the regions, and the first franchise bus to have two international airports as end-to-end points, he said.