Metro Manila Mayors Back Closure of EDSA Bus Terminals

The local government units in Metro Manila are supporting the initiative of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to close down bus terminals on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).

Edison 'Bong' Nebrija, MMDA traffic manager for EDSA, reiterated that Metro Manila mayors approved a resolution of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) removing bus terminals on the major thoroughfare which will help ease traffic congestion in the metropolis.

The MMC is the agency's policy-making body composed of the 17 local chief executives of Metro Manila.

"We have been coordinating with the LGUs with regards to the logistics of the removal of the terminals. The MMDA has provided to them a list of terminals within their jurisdictions that are needed to be closed down," Nebrija told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.

The MMDA has started its dry run of the closure of the bus terminals along EDSA last April 22.

Bus operators are urged to use the interim terminals located in Valenzuela City and the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna as the Department of Transportation constructs the integrated bus terminals in Bulacan and Taguig City for public utility buses coming from the northern and southern provinces, respectively.

"We have observed that bus operators have been cooperative as they started to pick up and drop off passengers along these terminals. This can be attributed to our massive information campaign," Nebrija said.

The MMDA is eyeing to remove all 47 bus terminals along EDSA by June.

The agency is also implementing the 'no loading and unloading' policy of provincial buses along EDSA and major roads in Metro Manila.

Violators face a fine of PHP500 for illegal loading and unloading. They may also face penalties of PHP1,000 for violation of the closed-door policy, PHP1,000 for road obstruction, and PHP150 for disregarding traffic signs.