By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco, March 27 2019; Business Mirror

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/03/27/no-more-permits-for-edsa-bus-terminals/

Image Credit to Business Mirror

THE Metro Manila Council (MMC) has approved the resolution prohibiting the issuance of business permits to all public-utility bus terminals and operators and other public-utility vehicles along Edsa, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday.

MMDA Chairman Danilo D. Lim, who presided at the meeting, said the approved regulation is in line with President Duterte’s order to close down all bus terminals along the major artery.

“Our direction is to remove all bus terminals along Edsa and relocate them in the outskirts of the metro to minimize traffic congestion,” Lim said.

He said the role of local government units is crucial to prepare for the eventual removal of the terminals, since the LGUs issue the business permits needed to operate the business establishments.

Lim said they will recommend the closure of bus terminals by April in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

In the resolution, the MMC said the ingress and egress of public-utility buses and other public-utility vehicles in and out of the respective terminals along Edsa greatly contribute to the traffic congestion.

The regulation has yet to be signed by all the Metro Manila mayors who comprise the MMC, the policy-making and governing body of the MMDA.

A dry run will also be conducted after the Holy Week in April so as to prepare the operators and also the commuters.

At present, several terminals are being constructed for provincial buses originating from south and north of Metro Manila, including a terminal in Valenzuela City and one in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The MMDA also hopes to close down all terminals by June and is optimistic that with the closure of provincial bus terminals, traffic flow on Edsa would be better as provincial buses will no longer be allowed to enter Metro Manila to load and unload passengers.