Pasay to shutter provincial bus terminals

MANILA, Philippines — Beginning next week, all provincial bus terminals in Pasay City will be shut down as part of efforts by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to move them to its interim terminal in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. 

On the sidelines of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting yesterday, Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano said the MMDA will send a letter asking the city to implement MMDA Regulation 09-002 prohibiting or cancelling the issuance of business permits to bus terminals. 

Under the MMDA’s resolution, which was approved by the previous members of the MMC, all provincial bus terminals on EDSA will be closed down following the issuance of the guidelines issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. 

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said they will focus on implementing the policy in Quezon City and Pasay, where around 47 bus terminals are currently situated.

Should the provincial bus ban push through, Garcia said they will implement a “dry run with apprehension,” which means that all violators will be fined.

He said that they are also studying implementing window hours for the bus ban, which means all provincial buses will be allowed to use their terminals along EDSA for a certain period of time but will not be allowed to drop off or pick up commuters.