MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will inaugurate the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on November 5.
The facility, which is the first integrated and multimodal terminal in the southwestern part of Metro Manila, will serve as transfer point between the provincial buses of Cavite and Batangas, as well as in-city modes of transportation. It will also provide interconnectivity between different transport modes and services that will ensure efficient and seamless travel for commuters.
Located along the Coastal Road, the PITX is expected to reduce the number of provincial buses plying Metro Manila, specifically on Taft Ave.-Pasay and Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (Edsa) once it is operational.
“We are ready to open the country’s first-ever landport. This terminal has services and facilities similar to airports. This is not just your ordinary terminal, but a landmark transportation hub that is set to uplift the overall terminal experience of our countrymen. This is for everyone,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a statement Thursday.
Tugade negotiated for the removal of the annual grantor’s payment amounting to PHP100 million for 35 years, saving the government about PHP3.5 billion.
President Rodrigo Duterte is set to lead the inauguration of the terminal alongside the Cabinet’s economic and infrastructure cluster heads, as well as other key officials of the government and the private sector as it is a flagship project under the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.
The PITX will host modern facilities, such as comfortable seating spaces in waiting areas, free Wi-fi access, drinking water stations, traveler’s workstation areas, charging points, locker facilities, and telephone booths.
The terminal also features a state-of-the-art bus reservation and online booking with seat selection options, and an advance ticketing system with centralized ticketing counters and 50 automated ticketing kiosks.
Park-ride facilities and maintenance areas for minor repairs of vehicles are also available for the convenience of drivers.
The terminal building has three levels: departure bay for buses, jeepneys, and taxis at the ground floor; arrival bays for buses at the second floor; and private vehicle facilities such as parking spaces, AUV bays, and a connection to the proposed LRT-1 extension project at the third floor. Five floors of premiere office spaces will be available for lease.
The PITX has a maximum daily capacity of 100,000 passengers and peak hour passenger volume of 4,380 arrivals and 3,808 departures. Trips per day are approximately 1,060 arrivals and 949 departures. It will also house 59 bays for provincial and city buses, 49 bays for UV express and jeepneys, and 852 car parking slots. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
