Manila loosens up on bus ban

MANILA, Philippines - The city government of Manila has tweaked its bus ban, allowing buses to again ply through Taft Avenue and Espana Boulevard starting today.

Chief Inspector Olivia Sagaysay, head of the Manila Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MPD-TEU), however, stressed that only buses with valid franchises would be allowed to resume operating in the city.

As another condition, Sagaysay explained that only 10 buses per company will be permitted.

Sagaysay said each bus will bear a signboard, duly signed by Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, with its plate and body numbers.

The MPD-TEU has also identified the loading and unloading zones of the buses that will be allowed entry into the city.

Based on an MPD-TEU advisory released over the weekend, buses coming from Quezon City will only be in the following areas: Espana-University of Sto. Tomas footbridge, multi-modial terminal at Liwasang Bonifacio, Park & Ride terminal, Taft Avenue-Rizal Park and Quirino Avenue-Taft Avenue.

For buses coming from Pasay City or Makati City, their bus stops will be at Quirino Avenue-Taft Avenue, Park & Ride terminal and across Espana-A. Lacson street heading to Quezon City.

Lastly, buses coming from San Juan can only load and unload passengers at V. Mapa-Centerpoint, Pureza-Magsaysay Boulevard, Technological Institute of the Philippines at P. Casal/Ayala Bridge and Park & Ride terminal. 

This new scheme, which was agreed upon during a meeting by City Hall officials with affected operators, will be implemented starting today.

The new scheme stemmed from a resolution approved by Mayor Joseph Estrada banning city and provincial buses from entering Manila to address perennial traffic problems in the city. This move, however, was met by criticisms from bus operators and commuters, as well as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.  

According to authorities, the flow of traffic in the city significantly improved during the first week of the ban’s implementation.