Traffic gridlock along Edsa. INQUIRER file photo / EDWIN BACASMAS
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Friday that it will push through with its plan to totally ban all provincial bus terminals along Edsa by January 2019.
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said they have received an order from Malacañang to ban provincial bus terminals along Edsa to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
“May order din po sa ating dumating from Malacañang na pinapasara na talaga ‘yung terminals sa Edsa, provincial bus terminals ‘no, by January 2019,” Garcia said in a press briefing.
(There is an order coming from Malacañang to close down the terminals along Edsa, the provincial bus terminals, by January 2019.)
For the ban to be implemented by January, the MMDA is eyeing to install interim bus terminals in Valenzuela City and Sta. Rosa, Laguna for the provincial buses to utilize until they establish permanent bus terminals in Bulacan and FTI, Cavite.
“That’s why ‘yung atin pong inaantay na interim bus terminals sa north, sa Valenzuela and the one on the south sa Sta. Rosa kasi we need an interim kasi hindi po natin pwedeng isara itong terminals sa EDSA kung walang pupuntahan,” Garcia said.
(We are waiting for the establishment of the interim bus terminals at the north, in Valenzuela and the one at the south in Sta. Rosa, because we can’t just shut down the bus terminals along Edsa without any alternative.)
Garcia said that provincial buses will also be utilizing the recently inaugurated Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), which will start operating tomorrow.
Garcia said he has sought the help of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in establishing the permanent bus terminals in Bulacan and FTI, Cavite.
“Last Monday or Tuesday, I gave a request already to NLEX and SLEX people, sila na lang po ang crucial dito, so I’m asking for the help of NLEX people and SLEX people to please pakigawa na ‘yung infrastructure dyan para makapagsimula na,” Garcia said. /jpv
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