NINE out of 16 bus companies plying the busy Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Pasay City were found to have violated new traffic regulations meant to ease traffic on primary thoroughfare traversing Metro Manila.
Metro Manila Development Authority acting chairman Thomas Orbos said the bus firms are Aranda Line, RMB Liner, Grand Transport, Diamond Star, Ma Victoria Transport Inc., DLTB Co., Dimple Star, St. Jude Bus Lines and C. Bragais/Pamar Bus Co., which terminals are situated near Tramo Street corner Edsa.
Orbos said the bus companies failed the “nose in, nose out” test during their surprise inspection on Wednesday and most of the firms also lacked the maneuvering space at their own terminals, a clear violation of the policy.
Orbos warned the bus companies if they will not comply with the policy until next week, the MMDA in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, they will be sanctioned.
“We will give them enough time to find space where they will put their buses. We will give them until Tuesday, then talk to LTFRB,” said Orbos.
Orbos said he is also considering issuing citation tickets to the bus companies if they continue ignoring the policy. “Even if we have to issue tickets every day,” he said.
The policy, according to Orbos, requires buses to get in and out of the terminals in one simple maneuver and they are not allowed to load and unload outside their respective terminals.
Last month, MMDA traffic personnel and other members of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic conducted a dry run operation to remind provincial bus operators and owners of the long existing regulation.
Under MMDA Resolution 16-06, Series of 2016, the agency reiterates the Nose-In, Nose Out policy of provincial buses entering and exiting the terminals located along Edsa, stressing that there should be no queuing of buses along the major thoroughfare at anytime.
The resolution also notes that violators will be issued a Uniform Ordinance Violation Receipt for obstruction and disregarding traffic sign with corresponding penalty or fine.
Orbos said the resolution also prohibits private and public utility vehicles from unloading or loading passengers and cargo in front of the provincial bus terminals that would ultimately cause traffic snarls in the area.