Commuter files complaint vs ‘abusive’ bus driver

MANILA, Philippines — A female commuter on Monday filed a complaint at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) against an “abusive driver” who dropped her off at a non-designated zone that caused her injuries and trauma.

In a two-page complaint filed at the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Mary Joy Eata, 39, said she was dropped at a non-unloading zone on EDSA last April 3 by bus driver Diomedes Llames.

Eata said Llames dropped her at the approach of the Ortigas flyover on EDSA, which is a prohibited area to unload passengers, causing her to fall.

Eata then sustained injuries in different parts of her body due to the fall and said she was still traumatized by the incident.

During a confrontation at MMDA office, Llames said that Eata “jumped out of the bus, lost her balance and fell.”

Closed-circuit television footage, however, backed the claim of the passenger.

After a while, Llames admitted that he saw the victim fall off the bus but did not stop. He apologized to Eata.

The complaint was already referred to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Office of the MMDA for the filing of charges.

The agency would issue traffic violation tickets against Llames for reckless driving, disregarding traffic signs, and disregarding the yellow-lane rule.

Under the bus segregation rule, buses marked A, B and C are to load or unload their passengers only at designated bus stops along EDSA.

Meanwhile, under the yellow lane policy, all city buses should remain on the two outermost lanes on each side of EDSA.

/atm