MMDA conducting studies on effect of banning Uber, closure of bus terminals

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday said that they are still conducting studies on whether the one-month suspension of Uber and closure of bus terminals along EDSA helped in easing traffic congestion.

"We're still conducting studies po doon sa aming traffic engineering. Merong nakakapagsabi but that's not enough para sabihing lumuwag," MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

"Everytime na nagkakaroon ng pag-aaral ang MMDA, we don't want to claim it as a success na lumuwag o sumikip...nagsasagawa po tayo ng pag-aaral kung nakatulong 'yung pag-ban sa Uber," she added.

The MMDA on Thursday ordered nine bus terminals on EDSA to shut down operations for their failure to comply with regulations like the nose-in, nose-out rule.

The following bus operators had their permits revoked as of Thursday, August 17:

• ES Transport Inc.
• Bataan Transit
• First North Luzon Transit
• Golden Bee
• Five Star Bus Co.
• Pangasinan Bus Company
• Cisco Incorporated
• Philtranco Bus
• Jac Liner

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) suspended the accreditation of Transport Network Company (TNC) Uber Systems Inc. for a month due to its defiance on an order halting the activation of new drivers.

Uber already filed its second appeal pleading  with the LTFRB to accept a fine instead of a suspension. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG/KVD, GMA News