QC govt, MMDA, LTFRB ink MOA to eliminate illegal bus terminals

The memorandum, which aims to decongest EDSA and secondary roads that are used as alternative routes to the northern and southern portions of Metro Manila, was signed by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, MMDA chairman Tomas Orbos, and LTFRB chief Martin Delgra. (Photo: Rico H. Borja/ PNA)

MANILA–The Quezon City government, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday afternoon signed a memorandum of agreement on eliminating illegal bus terminals in the city.

The memorandum, which aims to decongest EDSA and secondary roads that are used as alternative routes to the northern and southern portions of Metro Manila, was signed by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, MMDA chairman Tomas Orbos, and LTFRB chief Martin Delgra.

Bautista warned illegal bus operators of permanent closure if they continue to refuse to abide by local and national laws on bus terminal operations.

“Land always has use. Condominiums and other business establishments could be built on the (land occupied by) illegal bus terminals,” he said.

The mayor further said he will recommend a standard design for bus terminals to better manage the traffic in Quezon City.

For his part, chief of the QC Business Permit and Licensing Office, Garry Domingo, said, “We are hell-bent on enforcing the law. Only compliant bus terminals will be issued business permits.”

He pointed out that passenger buses should follow the “nose-in, nose out” policy upon entering or leaving their terminals, as other vehicle ploys could further aggravate the traffic situation along EDSA.