Integrated bus terminals to benefit provincial bus firms - MMDA

MANILA, Philippines - Provincial bus operators will benefit from using the integrated bus terminal to be built at the northern and southern outskirts of Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday.

“Their consumption of gasoline will be reduced. They will no longer need to enter Metro Manila, and they will lessen the wear and tear on their bus’ engines” once the integrated bus terminals become operational, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.

At present, most provincial buses have their terminals at Sampaloc in Manila; along EDSA, particularly Cubao in Quezon City; and in Pasay City.

The MMDA said it intends to relocate 86 bus terminals in Metro Manila to the integrated bus terminals at the northern and southern points of Metro Manila. The MMDA estimates that at least 154,153 passengers ride provincial buses every day.

Barring any hitches, the MMDA said the construction of the north Metro Manila integrated bus terminal will start by October. Construction of the southern integrated bus terminal, to be located at the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard near the Mall of Asia, will soon follow.

Tolentino said the north Metro Manila integrated bus terminal will be built on an 11.7-hectare private property at the Balintawak area in Quezon City, near the North Luzon Expressway. Private contractors will handle the construction and the construction project will be transparent, the MMDA said.

The MMDA added that provincial bus passengers will also benefit from using the integrated bus terminals.

Tolentino said bus passengers from the provinces will arrive at the integrated bus terminal and will be ferried into other areas of Metro Manila either by inter-city buses, taxis or even by the Light Rail Transit train system.

Tolentino added that passenger safety and security will also be given importance in the integrated bus terminals, which will operate like international airports.

“The tickets will be uniform, they can be used for any bus. It could be a cashless transaction. I don’t see any problems. You can rest while waiting for a ride, with the assurance you won’t be robbed,” he said.

Tolentino said the integrated bus terminals will have set schedules for the arrival and departure of provincial buses. The Balintawak terminal will be for buses traveling to the northern part of the country, while the Mall of Asia terminal will be for buses going to southern provinces.