Lawmaker says Arrival, Departure Scheduling of Buses Could Address EDSA Traffic

An opposition lawmaker countered the claims that provincial buses are the reason for traffic congestion.

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said that provincial buses from Northern and Southern Luzon arrive and leave their designated terminals when traffic is relatively light.

"Provincial buses ferrying passengers and their cargos from Albay and the rest of the Bicol Region as well as those from Northern Luzon do not create the traffic mess in Metro Manila, particularly at EDSA," the Albay solon said.

"The buses arrive early in the morning before the traffic gridlock starts and depart later in the day when the traffic has subsided," he added.

According to him, he opposed the plan that would drop off Metro Manila-bound passengers in Muntinlupa, just to get to their destination.

"Several years ago, I confronted and opposed the plan to drop off passengers and their goods from Albay in Muntinlupa and Alabang, and constrained them to take extra rides to their destinations in Quezon City, Pasay City and elsewhere in Metro Manila," he claimed.

He also claimed that the problem came upon anew when concerned government agencies designated farther drop-off points in Laguna.

"The effective policy of 'early bus arrivals and late departures,' which I brokered between the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the owners of the bus companies must be maintained, strengthened and observed pending the adoption of better policies and adequate transport infrastructure," he concluded.