By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has impounded 54 “colorum” or illegal passenger buses in a renewed drive against unregistered public utility vehicles (PUVs) operating along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other major thoroughfares in the metropolis.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that 48 provincial and six city buses found to have been operating without franchises from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) were held at the MMDA’s Ultra 1 and Ultra 2 impounding facilities in Pasig City last June 16.

Tolentino said the two areas have been filled up with impounded PUVs and they were now using the parking spaces of their flood control pumping stations, such as the one in Libertad, Pasay City, as temporary storage sites.

“It is surprising to find out that legitimate bus operators have colorum units within their fleet, and most of them operate on provincial routes. It is the riding public that will greatly suffer once these colorum buses get involved in accidents,” Tolentino said.

Most of the impounded buses were from Dela Rosa Transit, Victory Liner, Five Star, Lucena Lines, Bataan Transit, Saint Rose, JAC Liner, Baliwag Transit, ES Transit, and Philippine Rabbit, the agency said.

Meanwhile, the MMDA’s two task forces — Lawin and Safari — have apprehended and impounded 73 colorum taxis and AUVs since the operation started last June 15.

According to MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operation Emerson Carlos, personnel of the two task forces were strategically deployed along EDSA and Roxas Boulevard to go after colorum and out-of-line PUVs.

“All impounding facilities of the MMDA strategically located within the metropolis will be made available round-the-clock to serve as holding areas for vehicles apprehended,” Carlos said.

Tolentino said that the campaign was part of the agency’s efforts to de-congest EDSA and other major thoroughfares.

“Colorum and out-of-line PUVs only congest our thoroughfares. They should be taken off the roads to improve traffic flow,” he said.