MANILA, Philippines – Operators of provincial bus companies have asked the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to exempt their units from the number coding scheme during the anticipated exodus of passengers to the provinces this Christmas break and their return to Metro Manila after the New Year’s Day. Homer Mercado of the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association (SOLUBOA) said he has asked MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino to exempt provincial buses from the number-coding scheme from December 15 to January 15.
Mercado said both the bus operator and the passengers will be inconvenienced if no exemption is granted, adding that some operators resort to overloading their units just to compensate for the losses that they are incurring since the MMDA implemented the number coding scheme in November.
“Our incomes were reduced by at least 20 percent and our operations were enduring lengthier interval between trips because of the number coding scheme. If we don’t get an exemption at least during the heightened demand this Christmas and New Year season, there will be a scarcity of buses to ferry passengers to the provinces,” he said.
Kris Bayos, Manila Bulletin
