MMDA starts free airport Christmas shuttle service

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday launched its free bus shuttle service to airline passengers going to the domestic airport terminals.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the free shuttle service intends to dissuade airline passengers from bringing their cars in going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 2, 3, and 4 (formerly Domestic Airport) and help reduce the number of vehicles on the road during the holiday period.

"Instead of these passengers utilizing their own private cars or cabs to bring them to the airport, they can go as a group by availing of the free airport shuttle service we are providing," said Tolentino.

Tolentino said the MMDA airport shuttle service makes use of six buses – to include electric buses – bearing “MMDA Airport Christmas Shuttle” stickers. The buses will pick-up passengers in Baclaran, Paranaque and at the SM Mall of Asia.

"The airport shuttle service will be free of charge for passengers only. They just need to show their airline tickets to avail of the service. We are targeting the travelers expected to go to the provinces to spend the holidays," said Tolentino.

Last week, the MMDA, with the cooperation of public utility bus operators, dispatched similar shuttle services to six major malls along EDSA to provide hassle-free and safe transportation to mall employees and late-night shoppers.

The MMDA said the free airport shuttle service would be in operation until December 23.

Tolentino said the buses will be available for the use of passengers starting from the first flight schedules early in the morning until the last flight schedules for the day.