The government needs to ensure the efficient transfer for commuters going to Metro Manila from the provinces under the Integrated Bus Terminal Exchange (ITX) program, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said.
In a news statement issued on Monday, the business group expressed its support for the ITX program, which seeks to improve the mass public transportation system and ease vehicular traffic in the metropolis.
But the program requires passengers coming from the provinces to transfer to a city bus at an ITX terminal as provincial buses are not allowed to have direct inbound trips to the National Capital Region.
“To commuters, going through an ITX terminal may disrupt the convenience of a ‘single ride mode’ at present. But DOTr [Department of Transportation] can accelerate the transition to the new orderly ITX system by ensuring timely and adequate city buses at the ITX terminal,” MAP said.
“With that arrangement, commuters will benefit from efficient transfers, and once on the city bus, from the much-reduced vehicle volume, noise, and traffic congestion on Edsa,” it added.
MAP said that commuters would also benefit from “better air quality resulting from less vehicle exhaust.”
Meanwhile, MAP said that the ITX program is also beneficial for provincial buses as this will spare them from “getting stuck in urban traffic and enables faster turnaround trips back to provincial destinations.”
“The government can assist the provincial bus operators in extracting value from their idled city terminals, which are sitting on now valuable land,” it added.
Said terminal sites can be repurposed as other higher-yield commercial uses or sell them for higher prices.
Overall, MAP said that “this bus hub system adheres to best practices in public transportation found worldwide, and the system provides seamless passenger transfers that promote good order and efficiency.”
The business group also urged the transportation department to optimize the operations of primary modes of transportation, including the Manila Metro Rail Transit, Manila Light Rail Transit and the Philippine National Railway Commuter Line.
In its inaugural meeting last month, MAP pushed for more policy reforms for economic recovery, human development and well-being and shared prosperity and sustainability this year.
“We will put together an agenda of policy imperatives and push for their adoption for sustained recovery and continuing progress, whether through executive or legislative action. In addition, we will advocate for good governance and the rule of law in the operation of and policy implementation by relevant public offices,” MAP President Alfredo Pascual said earlier.
He stressed the need for an enabling business environment to attract more investments, raising the importance of addressing energy security, resolving foreign ownership restrictions and enhancing ease of doing business in the country, among others.