Bus services at Naia 3 and 4 begin dry run Thursday

In a trial run starting Thursday until Aug. 1, a total of 55 air-conditioned buses will be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers in stops near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminals 3 and 4 in Pasay City.

According to Manila International Airport Authority officer in charge and assistant senior general manager Vicente Guerzon Jr., the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently issued special permits to the southbound passenger buses, authorizing them to extend their routes and ferry travelers to and from the two terminals.

The buses are operated by Sevensky Express Liner Corp., Magicline Express Corp., Mayamy Transport Corp. and Naia Metro Link Bus. Despite their expanded route, they will not be allowed to raise fares.

LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez said the move was aimed at providing “an alternative transport service to the increasing airline passengers and employees of Terminal 3.”

Previously, passenger buses were not allowed on Domestic Road and Andrews Avenue while passenger jeepneys and tricycles could ferry people only up to the Circulo de Mundo Rotunda. Only private cars and taxis were permitted to go to Terminal 3.

Asked if the move may lead to heavier traffic in the area, Guerzon said this would be part of the assessment during the trial run.

For its part, the LTFRB said that one of the conditions for the issuance of the special permits was that the buses should not load or unload passengers on Andrews Avenue. A bus stop will be designated on Circulo del Mundo Rotunda for Terminal 3 passengers and another one on Domestic Road for those bound for Terminal 4.

Andrews Avenue, however, will strictly be a no loading and unloading zone.

With an average daily arrival of over 26,000 passengers at Terminals 3 and 4, transportation for both passengers and employees has been problematic since last year when five major airlines moved their operations from Terminal 1. –Jeanette I. Andrade and Erika Sauler