By Aerol John Pateña/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development (MMDA) is eyeing to install fences along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) to prevent city buses from illegal loading and unloading of passengers.
MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia Jr. said fences are needed for the implementation of the “no loading and unloading” policy of city buses along Edsa.
“We will put fences along the entirety of Edsa. The only thing that we will open are loading and unloading stations, intersections and of course, garages with easements,” Garcia said in a television interview on Monday.
“We aim to do it by this year. Hopefully within the next few months,” he added.
He said the fences would prevent city buses from picking up and dropping off passengers anywhere along Edsa.
“People will be able to learn lining up along designated bus stops. Thus, buses will not stop anywhere,” Garcia said.
The agency plans to enforce the “no loading and unloading policy” of city buses along Edsa following the start of its implementation the ban on provincial buses this Monday.
“Provincial buses only account for a very small percentage of traffic. Maybe just around 5 percent of the total traffic. But we need to start from somewhere,” Garcia said.
The MMDA started the dry run of the closure of bus terminals along Edsa to assess its feasibility as it plans to close down all 47 terminals along Edsa by June. It is coordinating with local government units concerned for the removal of the terminals.
Bus operators are urged to use the interim terminals in Valenzuela City and the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.
“We are targeting full implementation of provincial bus ban by middle of May,” Garcia said.
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