THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is not lifting or relaxing the window hours policy for provincial buses entering the National Capital Region despite objections and criticisms from the commuting public.
Romando Artes, who is the chairman of the MMDA, said they are merely implementing the policy of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) prohibiting provincial buses from entering the metropolis, especially EDSA and other major thoroughfares, during rush hours to decongest traffic.
“We are not the villain on this issue. We have explained to them (bus operators) our position on this,” Artes said.
The MMDA on Wednesday (April 20) started implementing the 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. window hours for the entry of provincial buses coming from different points of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and their use of terminals inside the metropolis.
In line with the policy, bus operators Victory Liner Inc., Bataan Transit Bus Company and First North Luzon Transit Incorporated posted advisories in their social media accounts stating that their operating hours are now limited to 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. only.
Artes denied that provincial bus operators can only operate during the window hours set by the LTFRB.
“They (provincial buses) are not prohibited from operating beyond the window hours provided that they use the integrated bus terminals instead of their own terminals,” he said.
He said provincial buses from Northern Luzon are allowed to load and unload passengers anytime at the integrated bus terminal in Bocaue, Bulacan, while those coming from Southern Luzon can drop off and pick up passengers at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
On the other hand, buses coming from the Visayas and Mindanao can load and unload passengers at the Sta. Rosa Integrated Terminal in Sta. Rosa, Laguna while the bus terminal at the Araneta Center in Cubao is used as a point of origin or destination to those going to and coming from Central Luzon and the Calabarzon.
With the easing of mobility restrictions, Artes said bus operators requested the MMDA that they be allowed to use their terminals in the metropolis for the comfort of their passengers.
He said the MMDA discussed the request with the LTFRB, which agreed to the proposal under the proviso that only provincial buses with QR codes would be allowed to use their terminals and that they can only do so from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. when the traffic along EDSA and other major thoroughfares is light.
Artes said the MMDA even held a two-week dry run of the window hour policy last month.
