THE ATENEO launched its very own shuttle service together with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on June 20.
The shuttles will be stationed at three transportation hubs – SM Marikina, Ayala Techno Hub, and Temple Drive. These 54-seater shuttles will transport Ateneo High School (AHS) students from their stations to the school at three intervals each morning.
The shuttle service was created in order to decrease traffic congestion inside the campus. This plan aims to reduce the number of cars entering the campus, especially those with single riders.
The shuttle service was the result of the close coordination between the AHS under Director Mel Oracion and the Campus Security and Mobility Office (CSMO).
Stopgap measure
According to CSMO Director Marcelino Mendoza, the shuttle service initially served as a temporary measure to relieve traffic created from the road-widening project along Katipunan.
“We really need to improve our mobility inside campus because the Katipunan widening project, by the DPWH, will commence anytime soon,” Mendoza said.
For the duration of the widening project, only three out of the five lanes along the northbound road of Katipunan will be usable. The recent completion of the renovation of the high school parking lot will free up some traffic, but mobility in those areas would still be limited.
Mendoza said that around 6000 cars enter the campus every day from 5:30-8:00 in the morning. This leads to standstills inside the Ateneo, particularly in the grade school and high school areas.
The shuttle service will help Ateneans coming from the Commonwealth, Antipolo and C-5, and EDSA by delivering students to the Ayala Techno Hub, SM Marikina, and Temple Drive, negating the need for their cars to enter campus.
Expansion
Mendoza said that he hoped to expand the shuttle service to include Loyola Schools students.
“We’re not limiting riders to [the high school]. Actually, mas nauna naming pinlano ‘to for the LS. (We originally planned the shuttle service for the LS students),” he said.
“Asahan natin in the coming weeks na pati LS, malalaman namin ang schedule nila in preparation for the August Opening of Classes. (Rest assured that we will be able to organize a similar shuttle service for college students in preparation for the the start of classes).” he added.
Currently, the high school is shouldering the costs of the shuttles for the duration of the experimental period. Mendoza said that in the near future, the CSMO will introduce affordable rates for passengers.
“Gusto namin ‘yung pinakamababang rate, para magiging successful ‘tong program na ito. Then eventually, magkakaroon tayo ng per-trip rates [for passengers],” he said.
(We want to set the lowest possible rate in order to make this project a success. Eventually, we will introduce per-trip rates for passengers to avail of.)
