Dry run on EDSA provincial bus ban not successful, MMDA admits

An official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday admitted that the dry run on the ban on provincial buses on EDSA, which it suspended on Monday, had not been successful.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said very few bus drivers joined the dry run since it was not actually an "enforcement" of the ban.

"Hindi successful ang ating dry run kasi kokonti lang talaga ang sumunod," Garcia said.

"Pag sinabing dry run, walang enforcement. Alam naman natin na karamihan sa ating driver pag walang enforcement ay hindi sumusunod, hindi nakikisali."

The MMDA suspended the dry run pending the formulation of guidelines that will result from its meeting with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"Habang hindi natin nai-finalize 'yan (guidelines) ay i-suspend muna natin 'yung dry run para hindi na rin makaistorbo tayo sa mananakay," Garcia said.

Garcia said the meeting is set to be held either this week or next.

"A few weeks after that meeting puwede natin ma-implement ito (provincial bus ban)," he said.

The AKO Bicol Party-list has asked the Supreme Court to stop the MMDA from enforcing a regulation banning provincial buses and terminals on EDSA. The high court has yet to decide on it.

Under MMDA's scheme, which was supposed to be fully implemented in June, provincial buses coming from the south are expected to end their trips at a terminal in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and one in Parañaque, and those coming from north at a Valenzuela terminal.

The passengers then will have to take P2P buses to reach their destination on EDSA.

Garcia said there are at least 8,000 provincial buses plying EDSA. —KBK, GMA News