Update (4:45 p.m.)
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has served a closure order to five bus terminals in Pasay City on Wednesday.
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the agency ordered the closure of the terminals owned by Maria Victoria Transit, St. Jude O Peñafrancia Transport Inc., A. Aranda Line, Bobis Transit and RMB Transport System due to lack of permits and for violating the “nose in-nose out” policy for transport vehicles.
Under the said policy, buses should go in and out of the terminal with their front-end first. If they need to enter the terminal again, bus drivers should make a maneuver inside the terminal.
According to Lim, failure to comply with this ruling causes delay in the traffic flow in the areas where the bus terminals are located
“Traffic gets heavier when buses go in and out of their terminals because vehicles on the road are waiting for them to maneuver,” Lim said.
“Aside from that, they neglect the welfare of their passengers by ignoring proper maintenance and sanitation,” he added.
The agency said the bus companies also failed to provide convenience to its passengers.
In a surprise inspection, Lim said proper comfort rooms, ventilation, chairs and waiting areas as well as friendly ramps for persons with disabilities (PWDs) were not visible in the terminals of the five bus companies.
Lim assured the public that the five bus firms would not be able to operate not until they comply with the agency’s requirements.
“Once the compliance is met, we will allow them to resume their operations,” he said.
Meanwhile, a notice of compliance was served to Smart Bus, Elavil, Ceres, Mark Eves, and Diamond Star Bus companies on the same day.
Staff members of the Ferdinand Bus Terminal were not around to receive their notice of compliance, according to the MMDA.
The owners of the bus companies were given 72 hours to process their business permits and to comply with the standards set by the agency. /ee