THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified the policy with regard to the window hours being implemented for provincial buses that brought confusion to the public.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said that based on the existing policy of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), all provincial buses should load and unload passengers only at the North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) in Bocaue, Bulacan or at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) that is located in Parañaque City.
According to Artes, the LTFRB granted the request of the MMDA after provincial bus operators appealed with the agency to allow them to pass by EDSA from 10 pm up to 5 am under a two-week dry run that started in the last week of March.
Artes also emphasized that provincial bus operators will not be restricted from operating beyond the window hours on the condition that they will not load and unload passengers in their respective private terminals but instead use the integrated terminals NLET and PITX in accordance with existing guidelines of the LTFRB.
He also confirmed of the gentleman’s agreement between the MMDA and provincial bus operators, who asked that this agreement be extended wherein provincial buses will be allowed to pass EDSA and use their Metro Manila terminals the whole day during the Lenten period, specifically up to April 17 or Easter Sunday, and was even extended up to April 19. That is why the window hours scheme was again implemented last Wednesday, April 20.
Aside from this, the MMDA official insisted that the MMDA’s primary duty is the strict implementation of regulations and traffic laws, while the crafting of guidelines regarding provincial buses and other transport issues are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB.