LTFRB to shorten provincial bus routes

MANILA, Philippines — Provincial buses will no longer be allowed to on EDSA before the end of June due to a new route modification policy of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Sources told The STAR that the LTFRB is set to come up with guidelines this month that would cut the franchise routes of provincial buses to coincide with the provincial bus ban of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Under the LTFRB’s policy, northbound provincial buses will end their route at an interim bus terminal in Sta. Rosa, Laguna while southbound buses will be allowed only at a bus terminal in Valenzuela City, which is similar to the MMDA’s bus ban.

But unlike the MMDA’s policy, the LTFRB will not address the closure of provincial bus terminals on EDSA.

This means that the local government units (LGUs) will be tasked to shut down the provincial bus terminals, as stated under MMDA Resolution No. 19-002. 

“Before the month ends, the provincial bus ban will be implemented. The LTFRB has guidelines wherein (the provincial buses) will not be allowed on EDSA, but the LTFRB will not touch the terminals because LGUs will take care of them,” sources said.

They added that closing down the provincial bus terminals on EDSA will take some time since newly elected mayors will be sworn in on June 30.

The metropolis’ 17 mayors comprise the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy-making body.

The MMDA resolution states that the LGUs are encouraged to prohibit or revoke the issuance of business permits to all public utility bus terminals along EDSA.

Sources said there will be a public consultation and transport groups and bus operators will be invited for a dialogue before the route modification guidelines are released.

Bus drivers caught violating the LTFRB’s policy will be fined P2,000 for each violation.

Sources said the LTFRB is helping the MMDA fulfill an earlier pronouncement of President Duterte to achieve the five-minute travel time from Makati City to Cubao, Quezon City by December 2019.

The MMDA, however, said its initial target is to bring down the travel time to 30 minutes.