Aug 8 – Last Thursday, I went to BGC for another event coverage and this time I dropped off at the new Southwest Integrated Transport Terminal in Coastal mall in Paranaque City. I have no choice but to take the new bus scheme. There’s some jeepneys that travels to Baclaran, but I’m not very comfortable in taking the jeep during day time.
my adventure starts here when I rode the bus coming from Cavite and all buses will stop at the end of the Coastal road.
Coastal road – Macapagal road shortcut (left turn) is not allowed for public bus, the bus driver attempts to take a left turn going to Macapagal road, the road leads to the new terminal, but the traffic enforcer didn’t allow the bus to take a left turn, I guess that its for private vehicles only.
There’s traffic in the entrance of the Southwest Integrated Transport Terminal, bus drivers want to avoid that.
Same scenario on my 1st time to try the new bus scheme, during the red stop sign, all passengers dropped off here in the middle of the highway in Coastal road, so we walked going to the Airport road.
I took the footbridge connecting a small road in Airport road, then I ride a taxi cab going to BGC.
I’m satisfied with this scheme, but Im not sure if it is convenient for me if ever I will go to SM MOA and not ride a taxi, there’s a shuttle in Baclaran that transport commuters to SM MOA, but what about the people coming from Cavite? so we need to ride another jeep to go to Baclaran just to get another ride to SM MOA. Instead of having two rides, now we have three rides – means the transportation fees are now much expensive compare last time.
and here’s my experience after my BGC event coverage, and time to go home at an early time.
I took the bus from Ayala EDSA going to Coastal terminal
Bus stopped over here in SM MOA, I can take the shuttle ride here to Cavite, but it was 2pm and its too early for the shuttle ride. It will take hours for the shuttle before it takes off and load it with passengers. Because people ride the shuttle at its peak around 4pm. So I still take my chance of trying the Southwest Integrated Transport Terminal.
The bus arrives in Coastal mall and they dropped off us in front of the main side of the mall
So here’s my view
The old Coastal Mall.
Lots of City buses lining up
I just experienced a little convenience here..
but I just hate to walk in a dusty area
I discovered that the path to the terminal is under construction, so we need to enter the mall to go to the Southwest Integrated Transport Terminal area.
that yellow shuttle is a transport to SM MOA, I looked around and saw no terminal for that shuttle, I’m not sure where it came from
more bus in line
I walked in the side of the Coastal mall, and I see lots of abandoned stores
behind me is the “no longer” maintained mall – today it looks like an abandoned warehouse
that’s one of the bus that I ride going to Cavite
So before I enter the Southwest Integrated Transport Terminal, I went around the waiting area of the city bus going to Manila.
seats for commuters
city bus terminal sign – I noticed that there are no bus to Lawton, so the only way to go there is ride a taxi or take the UV express.
Bus destination index
Aircon and non aircon bus lining up and waiting for passengers
City bus terminal HQ
Spotted: The UV Express shuttle going to Lawton
Looks like that Coastal mall will bring back its energy..I hope they bring back Jollibee too.
Saw some commuters are confused and they asked questions to a UV express driver a route to their destination.
Entering the Coastal mall…the guard told me that the mall has access to the terminal.
The commuters walkway that time is under construction, you can take the walkway to the terminal, located outside the mall.
entering this mall is so scary. hahahaha
looks like a – haunted mall
dark…humid
there are still some small stores surviving here…
sari sari store…
closed and abandoned store stalls
and now Im here in Southwest Integrated Transport Terminal
Provincial bus should unload passengers here, but because that there’s traffic in entering the mall, they have only one entrance for buses, the passengers are dropped off in Coastal road instead.
signs…
bus going to Tanza, Cavite
more signs… I’m happy to learn that they have comfort rooms
they have a provincial bus mock up or mascot
time to look for my ride
not crowded as of 2pm
incoming bus
Bus to Trece
I’m glad that bus drivers are obeying the signs, they park here according to the destination posted above
There’s my ride….
at 2pm, there are lots of passengers already, I’m very comfortable with this set up, but I’m not comfortable in having long walks and entering a haunted mall.
Its quick…easy…and convenient for us commuters coming from Cavite and Batangas.
The new terminal gives and teaches new discipline to commuters and also bus drivers and operators.
Watch out for my part 3 of my adventure and experience in Southwest Integrated Transport Terminal.
