Lim bans provincial buses due to unruly drivers

Mounting complaints about traffic jams reportedly caused by undisciplined bus drivers prompted Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to recently ban the entry of provincial buses in the city.

Lim said the provincial buses from southern Tagalog were no longer allowed to pick up and unload passengers since the first week of this month. He is reviving an old policy that he implemented during his first term as the city’s local chief executive.

“They would only be allowed until Vito Cruz (now Pablo Ocampo Sr.) street as to not cause inconvenience to the passengers. There have been complaints that these buses pick up and allow passengers to disembark at any point of their trip,” Lim said.

He suggested that bus operators organize a shuttle service, either a passenger jeepney or a Tamaraw FX, to ferry passengers from Vito Cruz to Lawton. They could also consider renting out a space at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) such as the bicycle rental area and use it as their terminal.

If the bus firms would not reduce their fares, then they should offer the shuttle services for free, he added. 

Lim said he met with the bus companies last January and March. “At that time, I told them they had three months (or until April) to organize the shuttle. We really timed it with the school break so most of the students would have no classes,” he said.

The companies told him that it was the colorum or unregistered buses that were responsible for the traffic jams.

Lim said those found violating the ban may have their vehicles impounded or their license confiscated.