By Myris Lee
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) blamed provincial bus operators for the confusion on the window hour scheme implementation.
Many passengers were left stranded on Thursday in provincial and Metro Manila terminals due to policy misinterpretation, as the operators reasoned out that they could only operate from 10:00 p.m to 5:00 a.m
“Wala pong turuan na nangyari, sila po ang gumagawa ng issue. Tila pinagsasabong po ang MMDA at LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board]. Malinaw po ang polisiya ng pamahalaan,”MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said.
The window-hour scheme prohibits provincial buses from entering Metro Manila
outside the window-hours from 10:00 p.m to 5:00 a.m. to manage the traffic flow in the Metro.
“Ang pagpayag po natin na gamitin itong pribadong terminal, even outside the window hours ay hanggang Linggo lamang. Pero si Mr. Alex Yague po mismo na presidente ng kanilang asosasyon ang nakiusap po sa atin na i-extend po hanggang Tuesday,” Artes said.
“Ang problem po, mukha pong sinadya ng mga bus operators na ipitin po iyong mga pasahero noong Miyerkules na kahit na po, alam na nila na hindi na po dapat gamitin iyong terminals nila outside of the window hour, pinaghintay po nila iyong mga pasahero hanggang alas-diyes ng gabi,” he added.
Under the window hour policy, north provincial buses and south provincial buses are required to stop, unload and load commuters at the North Luzon Terminal (NLET) and Paranaque Integrated Terminal (PITX), respectively. – ag
