To provide commuters with a better and safer commuting experience, the local government of Marikina and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) opened two new modern Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) stops in the city on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Mayor Maan Teodoro said the PUV stops were designed to provide safe, convenient, and accessible waiting areas for Marikeños. One is located beside Concepcion Elementary School, and the other near San Roque Elementary School.

“We have closely coordinated with the DOTr to make this project possible. Our goal is to provide Marikina commuters with safe, convenient, and accessible PUV stops for their daily travels,” she said.

It features seating for vulnerable sectors, CCTV cameras, reliable lighting systems, concrete bollards, and tactile pavers for the visually impaired.

“Each PUV stop was thoughtfully designed with every commuter in mind. It provides benches for the general public, along with designated seating for persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and senior citizens, ensuring that comfort and accessibility remain at the heart of the project,” Teodoro explained.

Teodoro also said the project integrates modern green features, including charging stations, solar panels, a bike repair station, and bike map panels, allowing residents to travel safely, efficiently, and responsibly.

“Beyond these, the PUV stops also feature accessibility and information components such as PUV route and advertisement panels, as well as PWD-friendly ramps to guide all commuters with ease,” she added.

She also said that this is in line with the city’s commitment to sustainability and active transport.

Teodoro expressed her gratitude to President Marcos and the DOTr for providing the city with the projects, saying it will greatly benefit commuters by giving them safer and more organized areas to wait for rides.

“First of all, I want to thank ang ating Pangulo dahil alam ko ito ay part ng kanyang programs through DOTr Secretary Lopez at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng DOTr (I want to thank our President, as I know this is part of his programs through DOTr Secretary Lopez, and all those involved in DOTr),” she said.

“We are deeply grateful to the DOTr for making this possible and for helping us provide Marikeños with a safer, more convenient, and more comfortable commuting experience every day,” she added.

The mayor said they are fortunate to be among the cities selected for the DOTr project, with two of the six PUV stops set up in Metro Manila, located in the city.

“We are very lucky, from the citizens of Marikina, to be one of the LGUs na makatanggap nito. Actually, Marikina is very lucky dahil 2 sa 6 na transport stations ay dito sa Marikina nilagay (because two of the six transport stations are located in Marikina). This is very sustainable and in line with our program.”

Meanwhile, DOTr Sec. Giovanni Lopez said, “Magagawa lang po namin [ang proyektong] ito sa malapit na pakikipag-ugnayan sa local government unit sa pangunguna ni Mayor Maan. Talaga pong nagrequest siya ng ganito para sa kanyang mga constituents (We were only able to implement this project through close coordination with the local government unit, led by Mayor Maan. She specifically requested this initiative for her constituents).”