Buses caught loading passengers beyond allowed capacity by MMDA

Several buses on Tuesday were caught loading more passengers than what was allowed under the prevailing quarantine restrictions, and for failing to enforce proper social distancing measures set by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras,” a commuter took pictures of passengers crammed together inside a bus.

The MMDA said they expected such violations because drivers and operators were trying to generate as much income as possible.

“Kung masusuwelduhan ‘yung drivers na ‘yan, kung mapatupad na ‘yung guidelines na ‘yun na mapaswelduhan sila, then these drivers will not be running after the passengers,” MMDA traffic chief Bong Nebrija said.

“Bago i-phase in ‘yan, nag-uusap ‘yung operator. Sinasabi namin ‘yung guidelines, ‘yung mga dapat gawin, ‘yung mga protocols and all that. It was clear. However, ‘yung mga drivers nila are the same old drivers and they do not believe in this. Sa kanila, kita pa rin,” he added.

The operator of the bus photographed violating capacity restrictions would be summoned by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

During a random check, the MMDA also found 37 passengers inside a bus despite there being a limit of only 25 passengers to maintain social distancing.

The driver was given a ticket and fined P5,000.

Meanwhile, the MMDA admitted that the 2,000 buses currently plying roads were still not enough to accommodate all commuters.

Most drivers and operators had decided not to return to the road to avoid operating at a loss due to the limits on capacity. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News