MMDA to bodily remove erring drivers from buses 

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando has granted traffic enforcers the power to bodily remove bull-headed drivers from their buses, which will be impounded until all fines and penalties are settled.

He has also authorized traffic personnel to drive the buses to an impounding yard.

“If the driver does not respond to hand signals, get into the bus and carry the driver out,” Fernando said.

He issued the authorization in reaction to reports that some bus drivers continue to violate traffic rules and regulations, particularly by overstaying in loading and unloading bays, thus causing traffic buildups.

Fernando said during the MMDA’s weekly radio program yesterday that he made this move because “there really are drivers who blatantly” disobey traffic rules.

He said he has told Traffic Enforcement Group (TEG) chief Bobby Esquivel to make use of such measures if needed. 

Esquivel, in an earlier interview, said bodily removing bus drivers from their vehicles will be a last resort if all other means fail.

Esquivel, who also heads the MMDA’s Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG), has been leading the agency’s intensified drive against erring motorists and unregistered vehicles, which he said has resulted in improved traffic situations in major thoroughfares like Edsa.