Provincial buses allowed at all hours in two land terminals, MMDA says 

By now, you are probably familiar with the recent issue surrounding the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. window hours for provincial hours traveling within Metro Manila. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has already clarified that there are actually two terminals that allow some provincial buses to operate outside of the said window hours. 

PITX is one of two terminals where provincial buses can head to outside of the window hours

Specifically, those two are the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and the NLEX Terminal (NLET) located at Bocaue, Bulacan.  

According to MMDA Chair Romano Artes, some provincial buses are allowed to terminate at the Araneta Center Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City, outside of the designated window hours. These units ply what the agency refers to as commuter routes, and have been granted special permits through quick response or QR codes.    

However, there are some restrictions. According to the MMDA, buses with assigned codes are only allowed to receive and drop off passengers at the Cubao terminal and the two aforementioned terminals. 

The earlier confusion about window hours might have been caused by miscommunication and misinterpretation. According to Chairman Artes, there were reports that bus operators were telling their passengers to wait until 10 p.m. instead of referring them to either PITX, NLET, or the Araneta Center Terminal. 

Another terminal is NLET in Bulacan

Then again, the fact remains that travel to and from these terminals might accrue additional costs for the commuter. It might also especially serve as an additional burden for particular commuters like senior citizens, pregnant women, kids, and persons with disabilities.  

It is after all, a given fact that traveling within Metro Manila is still challenging. That’s on top of the fact that fuel prices right now aren’t exactly great. And yes, the current traffic congestion we’re experiencing in the Metro isn’t conducive for quick and seamless travel either. 

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