DOTr, LTFRB clarify provincial bus window hour woes

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) two-week dry run of its window hours for provincial buses has received public backlash, with commuters ending up stranded at bus terminals.

The latest advisory from LTFRB

That said, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB) have stepped in, saying that they have not been included in the discussions for the two-week dry run. However, the two agencies reportedly respect the MMDA’s decision to impose the window hours.

The LTFRB wants to clarify that the imposed window hours don’t mean that provincial buses can only operate from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., saying that the policy is to restrict them from using their private terminals outside of the said hours. With this, major thoroughfares such as EDSA won’t get too congested, especially during rush hours.

For those provincial buses that will operate outside the window hours, they are advised to use the following Integrated Terminal Exchanges (ITXs):

• PITX – Quezon Region 4-A, MIMAROPA, and Bicol
• PITX at Araneta Center Cubao – Region 4-A CALABARZON
• NLET – Region 1, 2, and CAR
• NLET and Araneta Center Cubao – Region 3
•  SRIT – provincial buses from Visayas and Mindanao

The LTRFB also wants to clarify that the permits to operate given to provincial bus operators means they have the responsibility to convey passengers whenever there is demand, not just within the window hours specified by the MMDA.

LTFRB clarified the confusion regarding the provincial bus window hours

Many commuters have been affected by the window hours imposed by the MMDA for provincial buses. At Dau Terminal in Pampanga, passengers were stranded as they were waiting for a bus heading to Metro Manila. With that being said, the LTRFB is keeping a closer eye on the situation, and will make sure that violators will be apprehended.

“Dahil sa kanilang hindi pagsunod, at lantarang paglabag sa kanila mga special permit at Certificate of Public Convenience o CPC para mag-operate, tinitiyak ng pamunuan ng LTFRB na sila ay papanagutin sa tahasang paglabag na ito,” said LTFRB in a press release.

(Since they [operators] don’t follow and comply with the special permits and Certificate of Public Convenience, or CPC, to operate, LTFRB will make sure that they will be penalized for doing so.)

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