A MODERN intermodal terminal in Parañaque City that will serve commuters between Metro Manila and nearby provinces plans to add more routes and services by year-end, according to Jason Torres, assistant vice president at Megawide Construction Corp., part of a consortium that won the project.

The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) will start a point-to-point bus service between the terminal and Baguio City on July 15. Long-haul routes to Visayas and Mindanao are also planned as well as connecting the terminal to the Light Rail Transit line 1, Torres told reporters on Friday.

Provincial buses at the terminal as of June have increased to 462 from 64 in December, while 23 more city buses were added from 715. Traditional jeepneys at the terminal have increased to 347 from 172, while there are now 205 modern jeepneys from 111. The number of vans at the terminal have more than doubled to 56.

Mr. Torres said most of the commercial stores will start operating by year-end.

“We want PITX to be more than just a transport hub,” he said. “We want PITX to be maximized for the people that’s why we have thought of other partnerships,” he added.

The company is planning to set up government offices at the terminal including offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Social Security System. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

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