2,000 passenger buses plying ESDA illegally

The Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG) reported yesterday that more than 2,000 passenger buses have been plying EDSA routes illegally.

Superintendent Mario Avenido, chief of the TMG-National Capital Region, said the buses, which do not have franchises from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), contribute to the heavy traffic along EDSA. According to LTFRB, a total of 5,000 passenger buses are plying EDSA and only 3,000 have franchises to operate. "We accost drivers and impound buses at impounding areas everyday. But operators manage to get their buses back just hours after the apprehension when they pay P6,000 in fines," Avenido told reporters during a forum at the Manila Hotel. Consequently, the buses would go back to EDSA.

Avenido said the TMG is planning to intensify a drive against colorum buses. "We will closely coordinate with LTFRB to check which buses are legally plying EDSA."

"It will be a big relief for motorists and other legitimate passenger buses if we get the colorum buses out of EDSA," Avenido noted.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is planning to revive the "Pook Batayan" approach or the use of public address (PA) systems in traffic management.

MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr., told reporters yesterday that a number of PA systems have already been set up at key intersections and bus stops in the metropolis.

Abalos explained that PA systems would aid the traffic enforcers in their job by giving them more range with less effort. Instead of going to each and every vehicle, the enforcers would only have to call their attention on the PA systems. The case is similar for pedestrians. Abalos pointed out that the PA systems were originally employed to call the attention of pedestrians and commuters who violate traffic laws. – Cecille Suerte Felipe and Marvin Sy