MMDA postpones transfer of temporary terminal for provincial buses

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has postponed its planned transfer on April 4 of the temporary terminal for southwest provincial buses in Pasay City, pending the release of the new bus route and to avoid confusion among commuters, especially with the upcoming Holy Week celebration.

The new temporary terminal, located at a lot owned by the agency along Macapagal Boulevard, was supposed to be inaugurated next week. MMDA officer in charge and general manager Tim Orbos said that while the infrastructure for the complex has already been put in place, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has yet to release its route modification plan.

On top of that, Orbos said that the transfer of the terminal from the Uniwide Coastal Mall to the lot adjacent to HK Sun Plaza may cause confusion to commuters who are going to Cavite and Batangas this Holy Week. He pointed out though that the agency will proceed with the transfer, as early as the week after Easter.

The MMDA is expected to save at least P1.12 million in rental fee monthly with the transfer of the Southwest Integrated Provincial Transport Systems (SWIPTS) terminal in Pasay City. The new temporary terminal is equipped with 17 loading slots and 11 unloading slots for provincial buses, and another six loading bays for city buses.

With the inauguration of the SWIPTS terminal put on hold, the MMDA would instead open next week an integrated center for traffic and flood monitoring. The Metro Manila Crisis Monitoring and Management Center would be house in the agency’s Metrobase building in Makati City, in a bid to make coordination and relaying of information on traffic, flood and other emergency incidents more seamless. JE