MMDA revives number coding for provincial buses on edsa

A month after implementing what was then touted as one of two traffic-easing measures on Edsa, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has decided to lift the temporary provincial bus ban starting this week after it proved ineffective in reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

The agency would instead revive the number coding scheme for provincial buses, MMDA special operations commander Bong Nebrija said.

Under MMDA Regulation No. 18-004A, provincial buses were prohibited from passing through the stretch of Edsa from Pasay City to Cubao, Quezon City, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays.

It was one of twin traffic policies — the other being the ban on driver-only vehicles — implemented by the agency on Edsa to ease congestion during rush hour.

The MMDA, however, found out that only around 300 provincial buses were affected instead of its initial projection of around 7,000.

Below expectation

This prompted the agency to drop the ban and just revive the number coding scheme which at least affected around 600 daily, Nebrija said.

On top of this, construction of the Valenzuela terminal has yet to be completed.

The facility should be equipped with a passenger waiting lounge, in addition to amenities for women, children and senior citizens, and ramps for persons with disabilities, Nebrija said.

Under the ban, buses coming from the north were supposed to unload their passengers at the Valenzuela terminal while those from the south should drop them off at the Southwest Integrated Provincial Transport System in Parañaque City during rush hour.