House inquiry on window hour scheme for provincial buses sought

FILE PHOTO Commuters queue to ride the EDSA Bus Carousel in Monumento, Caloocan City. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Three lawmakers in the House of Representatives are pushing for an inquiry on the window hour scheme for provincial buses after many travelers were left stranded in bus terminals last week.

Under House Resolution No. 2562 filed Monday by Bayan Muna Reps. Eufemia Cullamat, Carlos Zarate, and Ferdinand Gaite, the committee on transportation is urged to spearhead the inquiry on the new policy being implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“The window-hour scheme imposed on provincial bus operators has greatly caused undue hassle and burden to thousands of commuters relying on public transport,” the lawmakers said in the resolution.

“As representatives of the people, members of Congress must ensure that government policies serve the best interest of our people, especially in this time of crisis aggravated by the pandemic that gravely hit our already suffering people,” they added.

The MMDA earlier set window hours for provincial buses from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Buses’ origins and points of destination beyond the said window hours must only be at specific integrated terminals and not their own bus terminals. Instead, city buses shall transport commuters from the integrated terminals to areas within Metro Manila.

Citing the new policy, some provincial bus companies released travel advisories saying departures and arrivals from their respective Metro Manila terminals will only take place from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“When provincial bus operators adjusted their travel schedules in Metro Manila from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. only under the MMDA imposed window hours scheme, thousands of bus riding passengers were caught unaware, citing the lack of advisory given by authorities,” the lawmakers said.

“Frustrated, many also complained of additional expenses and additional burden, particularly on workers who have to report to work on scheduled hours beyond the imposed window hours,” they added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the MMDA earlier put the blame on provincial bus operators, saying they “sabotaged” and took passengers “hostage” by interpreting the new policy differently.

LTFRB executive director Maria Kristina Cassion has explained that provincial bus operators took passengers hostage by only scheduling trips at night, even as they can still travel in the morning.

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