By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Aug 10 (PNA) –The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB) on Monday declared Airfreight 2100 Inc. (Air21) as the winning bidder in the operation of the first premium airport bus service to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
LTFRB said that it awarded the accreditation to Airfreight 2100 Inc. (Air21) after it outbid Jam Liner, Inc. and Forehlich Tours, Inc.
As winning bidder, the Board said that Air21 was expected to provide up to Php 420 million to operate the airport bus service similar to airport bus services provided in Hong Kong and Singapore.
The airport bus service also has to be equipped with on-board CCTV, Wi-Fi, on-board automated bus arrival electronic display and announcement system.
LTFRB has meanwhile given Air21 six months to produce half of the 42-airport bus unit requirement with 24-passenger seating capacity that will operate from 4 a.m. to 12 midnight.
It can only pick up passengers at designated off-street stops. It will also have authorized booking offices in off-street stops and NAIA terminals.
The Board has already 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.
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.
The airport bus service is among the Aquino administration’s efforts to provide passengers with convenient and safe transport to and from the airports. (PNA)