MMDA, LTFRB start inventory of EDSA-bound buses

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have started an inventory of all public utility buses currently plying EDSA as part of a combined inter-agency drive against “colorum” buses.

The MMDA estimates that there are at least 13,000 colorum buses or those operating without franchises now plying EDSA and other major Metro Manila roads.

According to LTFRB officer-in-charge Dante Lantin, traffic enforcers of the MMDA and officers of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be conducting spot checks, stenciling of the chassis and the engines of buses with provincial and Metro Manila routes using EDSA during Saturdays and Sundays.

Lantin said a verification of a bus’ chassis and engine numbers would tell if it is properly registered with the LTO and is authorized to use the EDSA route, based on records with the LTFRB.

Once a bus is confirmed to be authorized to use the EDSA route, the inspection team would then attach a sticker on the bus as proof of verification.

According to Lantin, the inspection teams intend to finish the spot inspections by the end of October. The teams, said Lantin, intend to inspect at least 1,000 buses per day.

The intensified crackdown by the MMDA against colorum or public utility vehicles operating out of their lines have so far resulted in the impounding of 196 buses and asian utility vehicles (AUVs) being used as taxis along EDSA.

MMDA Traffic and Transport Management Office (TTMO) consultant Roberto Esquivel said in just one operation conducted by MMDA traffic enforcers along EDSA last Tuesday, 117 colorum and out-of-line buses, taxicabs, and AUVs were flagged down and impounded.

Last Wednesday, 79 more vehicles were seized. Esquivel said the drivers of the apprehended public utility vehicles were issued traffic violation receipts while their vehicles were immediately brought to the MMDA impounding facilities in Pasig City.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino earlier ordered the crackdown on colorum buses and other PUVs along EDSA and along other major roads in Metro Manila as part of the agency’s ongoing drive to ease traffic congestion.