MMDA lifting number coding for provincial buses Oct. 30-31

Provincial buses ferrying passengers to the provinces during Undas (All Saints' and All Souls' Days) will be exempted from the number coding scheme in Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said Tuesday.

 

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said this move aims to prevent congestion and possible racing among bus drivers to get passengers.

 

"Ini-lift natin ang number coding ng provincial buses sa October 30 and 31 para makauwi sa lalawigan ang kababayan. Para ito sa provincial buses lang," Tolentino said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

Filipinos are to flock to the provinces this week to pay their respects to their dearly departed.

 

Under the number coding scheme, vehicles are barred from major thoroughfares from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. depending on the last number of their license plates.

 

On Tuesday, vehicles with plate numbers ending in 3 and 4 are barred from major thoroughfares from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while a similar prohibition applies to those with numbers ending in 5 and 6 on Wednesday.

 

Tolentino also said the lifting of the number coding for provincial buses stemmed from a request of provincial bus operators.

 

He added the operators cited ongoing road repair work in Nueva Vizcaya and in roads leading to Quezon and Bicol.

 

"May ilang provincial buses na inaabot ng number coding. Either magkarera ang mga ‘yan o maghintay sa NLEX," he said. –KG, GMA News