MMDA eyes total ban on provincial bus terminals along EDSA by January

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is hoping to totally remove all provincial bus terminals along EDSA by January 2019.

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said doing so would ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

"There is a directive for us to that these provincial bus terminals in EDSA will be removed, closed down. That's why we have these terminals like the (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange)," Garcia told CNN Philippines' "The Source."

Closing the 46 provincial bus terminals along EDSA would remove the choke points in the busiest thoroughfare in Metro Manila, according to the MMDA chair.

Aside from the recently-inaugurated PITX, the MMDA is looking at installing interim bus terminals along Valenzuela City and Santa Rosa, Laguna for provincial buses.

Garcia said the MMDA is coordinating with the Department of Transportation for the proposed removal of provincial bus terminals along EDSA.

"I talked with DOTr Undersecretary Mark de Leon and LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III. The idea is good," Garcia said.

Aside from the DOTr and the LTFRB, the MMDA would also be coordinating with the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway for the proposal.

"We really need to remove (bus terminals) because the design of provincial buses is that they should only be in the ourskirts of Metro Manila and what will operate inside are the city buses," he said.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte led the inaiguration of the PITX,the first integrated and multi-modal terminal in southwest Metro Manila.

The new intermodal terminal is seen to help ease traffic by limiting provincial buses passing thorugh Metro Manila roads.

“This will offer passengers a safer, state-of-the-art and convenient terminal experience that will hopefully contribute to addressing traffic congestion in Metro Manila,” Duterte said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray