The average commuter always dreams of traveling to and from the city with ease. Given the huge number of workers and students always going back and forth to their places of work and school, the bustling city of Makati backs their vision, aiming for their travel to be stress-free.
Despite only having an actual population of 630,000 residents, an estimated number of 3.2 to 4.2 million are in Makati everyday, all come from different parts of Metro Manila and other provinces. In addition, an average 168,601 transit trips are taken daily. With a large number of people in one city, accessible and convenient infrastructure is needed for easy travel.
Unbeknownst to some, there have been some initiatives that make travel towards the city’s central business district (CBD) a breeze.
For the tireless commuter who goes through the city everyday for work and other purposes, check out these initiatives within the CBD that can help you in your commute for the long run.
Comfort, convenience, and safety in one
Find these three qualities at the One Ayala Terminal, located at the corner of Ayala Avenue and EDSA.
Now serving as the Ayala stop of the EDSA Busway, MRT3 station, South City buses, P2P, UVs, and more, it was officially inaugurated last November 18 and was made available to the public on November 19.
Commuters who endure the searing heat as they walk into the CBD can finally cool off at the air-conditioned lobby of the transport hub that houses various modes of mass transportation. They can also wait at the terminal’s wide bays and large waiting areas, having a more safe and comfortable experience as they wait for their ride at the midst of rush hour.
“As we open the One Ayala EDSA Busway Station, commuters—employees, workers, and students alike—are provided comfort, convenience, and safety a notch higher,” said Department of Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista.
Moreover, those who await their rides can lounge around by filling their stomachs and pleasing their eyes through the food kiosks and artwork surrounding One Ayala Terminal. The hub also has a clean, well-designed restroom and a BPO and retail component that will surely cater to the needs of various commuters.
“A large percentage of the daytime population of Makati are commuters, and this is why we give utmost importance to having well-designed public transportation facilities. Being an inclusive city, we would like to ensure that we provide the proper transport infrastructure to serve all members of our community,” said Bernard Vincent Dy, president of Ayala Land.
Walkable and bikeable
The Makati CBD is also known for its sidewalks, underground walkways, connecting paths, and bike lanes that make going to and from one place to another with ease.
A lot of their underground, covered, and overpass walkways have made the CBD a walkable city, allowing commuters to go to their destinations without the danger of crossing the street with moving vehicles.
Bikers, on the other hand, have traveled to and from Ayala Avenue with the bike lanes installed by Ayala Land.
With a daily average of 2,606 bike trips along Ayala Avenue, bike lanes have been paramount to a number of commuters in Makati. The bike lanes have sign and safety infrastructure in place, in the form of bollards that protect these lanes. More have been added for enhanced biker safety.
A healthy approach
Walking and biking are two of many healthy ways to commute, but why not amp it up by passing by the Ayala Triangle Gardens every afternoon and evening and attending the plethora of fitness activities you can do before going home?
Every week, there are pound classes, yoga sessions, agility training, football and physical training for kids, bike & skating lessons, which are perfect for any age and for anyone who wants to start that fitness journey.
Before ending your day and going home, take one of these fitness classes to feel as healthy as ever. Check out Make It Makati’s Facebook page for the weekly schedule of these activities.
State-of-the-art transpo
In collaboration with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Ayala Land introduced Makati Loop E-Jeeps last June.
A spacious, convenient ride for all commuters, the Makati Loop E-Jeep is an initiative that introduces cutting-edge zero emissions electric vehicles dedicated to the One Ayala to Circuit Makati route, and also serves as an ode to the famous Love Bus of the 1980s.
Eco-friendly and state-of-the-art, the Makati Loop E-Jeep contributes to a greener, sustainable Makati City. In addition, the Beep Card, widely used for the LRT & MRT, can be used for payment, being of utmost convenience to every commuter.
Go on an adventure
For local travelers who want to get to know the city of Makati even more, the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour is made for them.
This project by Ayala Land, launched in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, allows travelers to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of not only the CBD but its surrounding areas, specifically the malls, parks, and its arts & culture district.
Launched last June 2023, travelers can make their own itinerary for the tour where they can explore the various tourist spots of the big city.
“We are the OG live, work, and play city and we have so much more to offer in arts, culture, entertainment, and food among others,” said Chrissy C. Roa, marketing and communications group head for Ayala Land Corporate Brand, Estates and Ayala Malls.
A sustainable way of traveling
As the rising prices in fuel and other commodities continue to hound our fellow Filipinos in recent times, motorists have become keen on investing in sustainable alternatives in their commute through the use of bicycles and electric vehicles, among others.
Makati has shown its support for the use of electric vehicles by placing chargers of the sustainable transportation around the city, specifically in Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower Two, Solaris One, Greenbelt Makati, Ayala Malls Circuit, and Glorietta Makati.
“Ayala Land is delighted to be part of this pioneering initiative through Ayala Malls. We are certainly pleased that we are able to provide an efficient and modern-day access for the public for them to get to their different points of interest through more sustainable means. This further underscores our desire to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment for everyone, especially our patrons,” Dy said during the launch of the electric vehicle charging stations in Ayala Malls Circuit.
Makati has been truly made accessible for all kinds of travelers with the various infrastructure the city has to offer. From pedestrians to bikers to commuters, every stakeholder that benefits from these initiatives will surely experience hassle-free travel in the city. Next time you commute around the CBD, make sure to check out these initiatives that will ease your travel to and from work and home.
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