Provincial buses need terminals to ease Metro traffic, says MMDA chief

MANILA, Philippines—Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino on Friday reiterated the need for terminals of provincial buses to improve the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila.

In an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Tolentino said that “Oplan Goliath”, a joint operation between the MMDA and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) against colorum vehicles, was able to catch 19 colorum provincial buses illegally plying major thoroughfares in the metropolis.

“Some of the buses caught yesterday were only authorized for Nueva Ecija and Bulacan,” he said, stressing that provincial buses were taking up much space along Edsa every day.

Many buses and Asian Utility Vehicles (AUVs) even sported fake plates, said Tolentino.

“Oplan Goliath will go on for six months,” he said. “They know the law, I hope the operators of these vehicles would cooperate with us.”