What You Need to Know About the "Nose-In, Nose-Out" Policy

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has started enforcing the “Nose-In, Nose-Out” policy on all provincial bus terminals along EDSA. This policy hopes to lessen traffic bottlenecks in some of Metro Manila's busiest highways this holiday season.

And while we don’t understand why the MMDA didn’t just use simpler terms like “Front-End First” to make it sound more straightforward, we do have to commend its creativity in naming a policy after an anatomical part of the human body.

That said, here are some of the things that everyone -- especially the provincial bus drivers and operators -- should keep in mind when applying the "Nose-in, Nose-out" rule:

1. “Nose-in, nose out” actually means that buses should go in and out of the terminal with their front-end first. They are also not allowed to back up and disturb the traffic flow. Consequently, they will be forced to make a turnaround within the terminal itself if they want to enter it again.

2. This policy also bans private cars and PUVs from loading and unloading in front of bus terminals. Likewise, loading and unloading of passengers and cargo in front of provincial bus terminals are strictly forbidden.

3. For now, those who violate the rule will be charged with "Obstruction and Disregarding Traffic Signs" violation, and they are required to pay a P500 fine. There will also be additional penalties for obstruction, especially for taxis and private vehicles that load and unload passengers in front of bus terminals.

4. Once the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board comes on board, the provincial buses are expected to face much heftier fines of P1 million for out-of-line offenses.

Long-Term Solution to Traffic Problems? 

MMDA sees this new policy as a long term solution for EDSA’s traffic problems, and enforcing it in the long run will depend upon the results that they will see after the Christmas dry run.

Presently, 45 of the 85 provincial bus terminals in Metro Manila are situated along EDSA. Many of these stop points are located within the Pasay City and Quezon City areas. One solution that the MMDA is looking into is to construct integrated bus terminals for the 8,000 provincial buses that pass through Metro Manila, with a majority of them placed at the extreme point of EDSA or the extreme point of Metro Manila.

The "Nose-In, Nose Out" rule is just the start of some ambitious projects that MMDA has in store for us in the coming months. We sincerely hope it won't be the last.