By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, July 3 (PNA) — The bidding for the bus airport services for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is now open, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Friday.
LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez, in a statement, stressed that the opening of the bid was to once and for all, provide passengers with convenient and safe transport to and from the airports.
“Many of our overseas and domestic airline travelers are having problems heading to the airport that is why the LTFRB under the direction of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) issued guidelines to invite interested companies with technical and financial capability to offer and operate airport bus service,” Ginez said.
Initially, the board has identified two airport bus routes, namely the NAIA – Roxas Boulevard area including Mall of Asia and Entertainment City, and the NAIA – Makati Central Business District route.
Each route will have two sub-routes, with one serving NAIA Terminal 1 and 2 and the other serving NAIA Terminal 3. Each route variant and sub-route will have no more than five stops, all within the ‘target zone’ to ensure efficient travel times for passengers.
The board noted that the airport bus units will have a 24-passenger seating capacity that will operate from 4am to 12 midnight and can only pick up passengers on designated off-street stops.
It will be equipped with on-board CCTV, Wi-Fi, on-board automated bus arrival electronic display and announcement system.
Passengers can easily visit booking offices in off-street stops and airport terminals for their convenience. Drivers of the premium airport bus will meanwhile be on salary basis.
LTFRB said that the suggested fare for the 18-km Makati-NAIA route and 24-km NAIA-Roxas Boulevard route airport bus service is Php 300.
At present, the board has already issued a Memorandum Circular to formally invite interested applicants and corporations to participate in a legal tender to offer the service for airline passengers at the NAIA.
Under the circular, interested applicants and corporations must submit their Legal, Technical and Financial Qualification Documents to the Board on or before Aug. 3.
Meanwhile, a pre-qualification conference is scheduled on July 10 at 10 a.m. in the Board’s office. Opening of the qualification documents is on Aug. 3, with the notification of the results is scheduled on Aug. 10. (PNA)