By Jonathan Hicap
The Muntinlupa City governmen started on June 25 the implementation of designated pick-up and drop-off points for public utility vehicles (PUVs) in major thoroughfares ahead of the national government’s plan to allow traditional jeepneys to operate next week.
Signages for new PUV stops in Muntinlupa (Photos by MTMB)
According to the Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau (MTMB), the designated stops are located along the National Road and Alabang-Zapote Road in the city. The new system was created after the MTMB conducted a study aiming to organize public transportation in the city.
Each stop will have signages informing commuters of their Current Stop, Next Stop, and Route Overview.
The 18 designated stops from Alabang to Tunasan via the National Road are Pacwood/Muntinlupa-Laguna boundary, Villa Carolina I, RMT, St. Peregrine, Rodriguez (Tunasan Proper), SM Center Muntinlupa, Pepsi Plant, Sto. Niño Village, Hall of Justice, Centennial Avenue, Poblacion, Bucal, City Hall, Soldiers’ Hills, Summitville, Purok 1 (Bayanan), Bautista Intersection, and Ayala Malls SouthPark.
There are eight stops between Alabang and Buencamino Street via Alabang-Zapote Road. These are Ospital ng Muntinlupa, Asian Hospital, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Northgate, Alabang Town Center, Madrigal (Molito), Alabang Hills, and Buencamino. The pick-up and drop-off points at the three hospitals may only be accessed by the city government's free shuttle service.
Starmall Alabang will be the central terminal for both routes. The city government continues to provide free shuttle to Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), and will ferry commuters using the designated PUV stops.
A “no face mask, no ride” policy is being implemented and minors and senior citizens are still prohibited to ride, in compliance with the guidelines of the The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Mayor Jaime Fresendi urged commuters to strictly observe physical distancing and other health protocols at all PUV stops.
The free shuttle service of e-jeepneys for Muntinlupa residents starts from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.