CHANGE IS COMING A new route and terminal await nine provincial bus firms starting on Aug. 15, part of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s plan to improve traffic flow on Edsa. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Around 300 provincial buses will no longer be allowed on Edsa starting on Aug. 15 when they return from the provinces of Bulacan, Bataan and Pampanga.

Instead, they will be dropping off their Metro Manila-bound passengers at the 5-hectare Valenzuela Gateway Center (VGC) Integrated Terminal on Paso de Blas Road, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Monday.

Bong Nebrija, MMDA operations head, identified the nine affected bus companies as Baliwag Transit, Bataan Transit Co. Inc., First North Luzon Transit Inc., Genesis Transport Service Inc., German Espiritu Lines Inc., Golden Bee Transport and Logistic Corp., RJ Express Inc., Victory Liner and Pangasinan Five Star Bus Co. Inc.

While their terminals on Edsa would remain open to pick up passengers traveling to the three provinces, their buses would no longer be allowed on Edsa upon the return trip to Metro Manila.

Bus firms OK with plan

Nebrija said the bus companies approved of the MMDA’s plan, saying it was “more efficient and logical” since their drivers would no longer have to endure traffic when driving from Balintawak to their terminals on Edsa.

The MMDA’s long-term plan is to move out from Metro Manila all provincial bus terminals to ease traffic on Edsa.

But based on its data, provincial buses accounted for only 2 percent of the 300,000 daily vehicle traffic on the busy thoroughfare.

Starting on Aug. 1, northbound and southbound provincial buses were also prohibited from passing through the stretch of Edsa
between Cubao and Pasay City on Mondays to Fridays, from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., and between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. -By: Dexter Cabalza – Reporter