Edsa ban on provincial buses to start on August 15

The implementation of the provincial bus ban along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) will push through on August 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Thursday.

The agency earlier said that the enforcement of the ban may be rescheduled due to the absence of clear guidelines and the pending completion of the Valenzuela Interim Terminal.

Under the proposed scheme, buses coming from the north shall end their route in Cubao, Quezon City while those coming from the south shall end their route in Pasay City.

Buses without terminals in Pasay City can use the agency-operated Southwest Interim Provincial Terminal (SWIPT), the MMDA said.

The policy takes effect during “rush hours” or from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Violators will be slapped with a P2,000 fine.

Garcia said the five-hectare terminal in Valenzuela City has yet to comply with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) requirement, including the installation of waiting sheds, comfort rooms, and walkways, among others, before provincial buses can fully utilize the facility.

Once operational, provincial buses coming from the north can drop off their passengers inside the terminal located on Paso de Blas Road where Metro Manila-bound commuters can transfer to city buses.

During the terminal inspection, Garcia said they envision the facility as an intermodal transport terminal that can connect different modes of transportation like provincial buses, city buses, Asian utility vehicles (UV Express), jeepneys, and even tricycles.

The MMDA earlier said the new policy aims to help ease traffic congestion on Edsa by reducing the number of provincial buses plying along the route. /ee