MMDA halts EDSA bus ban’s dry run

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday suspended the dry run of the agency’s ban on provincial buses going through EDSA.

MMDA general manager Jose Garcia said while provincial buses would still be allowed to go through EDSA, they are barred from picking up or dropping off passengers along Metro Manila’s longest highway. 

During the dry run, which started on April 22, provincial buses are supposed to pick up or drop off passengers only at terminals in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange or Malinta, Valenzuela.

The dry run sought to test if the policy would be effective in easing traffic congestion in the metropolis.

The MMDA would not want the policy to be “politicized” due to the upcoming election on Monday, Garcia said.

The policy – which bans provincial buses and their terminals from EDSA – would “still be ironed out” by the MMDA, the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, he added.

The Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy-making body, previously approved Resolution 19-002, which mandates the cancellation of business permits of provincial bus terminals situated along EDSA.

The agency’s target is for all provincial bus terminals along EDSA to be closed by next month.

The policy, however, was challenged by the Ako Bicol party-list group, which is seeking reelection, before the Supreme Court last week. The group asked for the policy to be suspended, claiming it inconvenienced commuters who travel to and from the provinces.