THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) have agreed to standardize the “no window hours” policy for the number coding scheme on all national roads and Mabuhay Lanes.
Under the scheme, vehicles banned on a certain day of the week depending on the last digit of the license plate or conduction sticker cannot traverse major thoroughfares and Mabuhay lane routes between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The MMDA also said that members of the MMC, composed of mayors in the capital, have agreed to amend their respective number coding schemes and traffic code to align it with the policy.
“We requested standard na tayo, wala nang may (that it be standardized, that there will be no more) ‘window’… of course except (for those that do not implement the) coding like Marikina, Taguig, and Navotas,” said MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia Jr. in an interview with reporters on Tuesday.
He cited that among the national roads covered are EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, and Marcos Highway.
EDSA BUS TERMINALS
The MMDA and MMC also approved the resolution prohibiting the issuance of business permits for public utility bus terminals along EDSA.
Mr. Garcia said they had a meeting last Monday with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin B. Delgra III and Department of Transportation (DoTr) Undersecretary Alberto H. Suansing, where they agreed that all bus terminals along the major thoroughfare would be out by June.
Mr. Garcia said the plan is to have all provincial buses originating from northern Luzon to stop at the Valenzuela City terminal, while those from the south in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
He said the terminals have an area of about 5 hectares each, which would be enough to accommodate all provincial buses.
“I just learned today na yung (that the) 96 terminals sa (in the) whole Metro Manila, ang sukat niya ay (is only) 1.6 hectares,” he said.
The closure of provincial bus terminals along EDSA is intended to help ease traffic flow
Mr. Garcia said a dry run of the new arrangement will be conducted after the Holy Week in April to prepare commuters and operators. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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