MMDA suspends bus scheme anew

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) again suspended the implementation of the Organized EDSA Bus Route (OBR) or the single dispatching system, which was originally set to start yesterday.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando admitted that the agency has to "yet again" the full implementation of the scheme, which the agency claimed is the solution to the horrendous traffic on EDSA.

Fernando said the OBR would hopefully be implemented next week.

Fernando explained that there are still 2,000 public utility bus drivers that have to complete the agency’s seminar on the basic rules of the scheme, a major requirement before they are allowed to ply the highway.

The drivers must show their certificate of completion to dispatchers before they are allowed to drive, Fernando said.

Metro Manila has estimated 6,000 PUB drivers.

Fernando said he expects the drivers to finish the seminar this week.

Added to this, the Navotas bus terminal, a major terminal in the scheme, is expected to be completed only on Dec. 4.

Fernando added that he would also have to meet with bus operators to explain to them that the MMDA could not lift the number coding for PUBs as long as the OBR is not perfected.

With the number coding, there would be 600 less PUBs daily on heavily congested EDSA, Fernando said.

Under the scheme, PUBs will be dispatched from various terminals in the metropolis depending on the number of waiting passengers.

The OBR was initially launched in August but did not last evenn a day as it confused both drivers and passengers.

It was supposed to be implemented last November but because of the seminar, the MMDA decided to implement it this month. (Nikko Dizon)