MANILA - Transport authorities on Wednesday added bus stops on EDSA amid the gradual resumption of public transport operations in Metro Manila now under general community quarantine.

The new bus stops were added by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Whereas commuters could only take buses at the North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Ayala Avenue, and Taft Avenue bus stations before, the 11 additional stops will make public transport more convenient for commuters, according to MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago.

“'Yung interim bus stops po na tinutukoy ay magmumula po ng Bagong Barrio (Caloocan) hanggang Quezon Avenue, dire-diretso na po 'yan hanggang Estrella (Makati)… pagdating po ng Estrella lalabas na naman ho 'yung bus para pumunta siya sa kanan, sa curbside, at dire-diretso na po 'yan hanggang PITX (sa Parañaque). 'Yun ho ang adjustment,” she said.

(The interim bus stops will start from Bagong Barrio until Quezon Avenue, straight to Estrella... then right straight to PITX.)

The additional stops located on the curbside cover Bagong Barrio, LRT Balintawak, Kaingin Road, LRT Muñoz Station, Buendia, Magallanes, Evangelista/Malibay, Roxas Boulevard, Macapagal Avenue, SM Mall of Asia, and PITX.

A total of 150 city buses are allowed to ply routes at the moment, and fare rates remain the same.

There is ongoing roadwork on 16 EDSA bus stops due to the new left lane for city buses, such as the installation of concrete barriers, commuter steel barriers, waiting sheds, and lighting. These are expected to be completed in August, at the earliest, which is why these bus stops are still not operational.

The MMDA urged the public to bear with the new transportation system being introduced in phases, noting that these are for the safety of commuters and motorists.

Commuters, for their part, said they are still adjusting to the new scheme.

“Okay naman po siya kaso medyo kailangan ko ng konting pasensya pag-antay ng bus kasi pakonti-konti lang po 'yung bus na dumadaan po,” said Rica Nuñez, who waited for 30 minutes for a bus ride.

(It's ok but we need patience because there are only a few buses.)

Mar Cristobal, who has yet to try boarding a bus plying the new left lane, said it’s too early to tell if the new scheme is better than the previous one.