First PH ‘landport’ to open Monday

From cnnphilippines.com:

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 4) — The country’s first intermodal terminal will be open to commuters on Monday, in time for the onset of the holiday season.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to inaugurate the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), which boasts of world-class facilities, as well as multiple routes and transport options.

Also dubbed as the first “landport” in the country, the new terminal features facilities similar to those of an airport such as separate arrival and departure areas; public information systems; automated ticketing and bus monitoring systems; baggage handling facilities; spacious waiting areas; and quality restrooms.

PITX also has multiple bus, jeepney and UV express terminals, as well as areas for taxis and transport network services. It can accommodate up to 400 buses an hour and up to 100,000 passengers per day.

The Parañaque terminal will also connect to the LRT line 1 extension to Bacoor, Cavite, which is planned for completion by 2021.

The PITX is expected to help ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and provide commuters with faster and more comfortable rides.

Terminal officials and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) hope to make a dry run of the terminal by early November to ensure its readiness for the influx of commuters heading to the southwestern part of Metro Manila, especially in the coming holiday season.

“Some commuters dati (before), sa Baclaran nakatayo (standing), sa gitna ng Baclaran naghihintay ng (in the middle of Baclaran waiting for) ride going home to Cavite. But now punta lang sila rito sa (they just come here in) PITX, they can be assured of a ride home,” Mark de Leon, OIC-undersecretary for road transport and infrastructure of the DOTr, said.

Terminal management assured commuters that colorum vehicles will not be allowed to operate in the terminal.

“Based on the concession agreement, they have to be screened by the LTFRB. So you’re guaranteed here that these operators have passed the stringiest standards of government,” Chuk Arroyo, PITX general manager, said.

The PITX was constructed under a concession agreement between the government and MWM Terminals, Inc., a consortium of Megawide Construction Corporation and WM Property Management.

The public-private partnership was closed in 2015 under the Aquino administration, and was continued under the current administration’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program.

Transport officials said two similar projects will be built in Taguig City and Bocaue, Bulacan.

CNN Philippines correspondent Paolo Barcelon contributed to this report.