Provincial bus ban dry run resumes next week

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will resume the test run of its policy banning provincial buses along EDSA next week, an official announced yesterday. 

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said the dry run of the provincial bus ban would start at around 4 a.m. on Aug. 7.

He said traffic enforcers of the MMDA would not apprehend violators during the test run.

 “The dry run will push through  unless there is a Supreme Court (SC) order stopping its implementation. We respect the rule of law, alam namin iyan kaya kapag sinabing ihinto, ihinto natin iyan definitely,” Garcia told reporters. 

Officials of the MMDA and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) met yesterday afternoon and discussed details of the dry run. 

Garcia said the bus terminals on EDSA would remain open, but will not be allowed to operate.

He urged bus drivers and operators to use the interim terminals in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Valenzuela City. 

A window hour from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. will be implemented during the dry run, according to Garcia.

“Buses will be allowed to pass through EDSA and use the terminals during the period,” he said.  

Last May, the MMDA suspended the dry run of the provincial bus ban on EDSA after the policy received flak from the riding public and transport groups.

 The LTFRB has issued guidelines on the franchise routes of the provincial and city buses that will be affected by the closure of terminals on EDSA. 

The SC has yet to resolve three petitions, which sought to declare the MMDA’s policy null and void.

MMDA officials said the bus ban aims to ease traffic congestion along the most busiest thoroughfare in the metropolis.