Commuters, Operators Decry Strict Enforcement of Bus Ban in Cebu City

The Cebu City Government’s strict enforcement of a long-standing rule barring provincial buses from loading and unloading passengers along the city’s southern corridor has sparked backlash from both commuters and bus operators.

The policy, implemented as part of the city’s Discipline Zone campaign, requires all provincial buses bound for or coming from the South Cebu Bus Terminal (CSBT) to follow a point-to-point route. This means buses are no longer allowed to make stops in areas such as Pardo, Basak, and Mambaling, where passengers have long been accustomed to boarding or getting off.

Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. defended the move, emphasizing that the regulation was not newly introduced but rather a reinforcement of existing franchise rules under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“This policy has been in place for a long time, even back when I was still a councilor,” Archival said during a press conference.

According to the mayor, buses making unsanctioned stops contribute heavily to congestion along Cebu City’s southern entry points, with city studies showing that traffic bottlenecks are often caused by vehicles indiscriminately loading and unloading passengers.

The enforcement has forced many daily commuters to adjust their routines. Passengers heading to southern Cebu now have to disembark in Bulacao, Talisay City, and transfer to jeepneys to reach destinations within the city. Those coming into Cebu City are required to either proceed directly to the CSBT or get off in Bulacao before continuing their trip.

Students and workers traveling through Pardo and Basak have reported being late due to the longer travel time, while others complain of the added expense of transferring between multiple rides.

Bus operators, meanwhile, say the crackdown has disrupted both their operations and the commuting public.

“This has a big impact on our bus drivers and passengers,” said Julieto Flores, chairman of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Transport Cooperative.

Flores argued that while traffic management is necessary, a total ban on loading and unloading along the corridor penalizes passengers most. Instead, he suggested that the City create designated bus stops as a compromise solution.

“If the City would simply identify bus stops, there would be no problem because passengers would at least have a proper place to board and disembark,” Flores said.

The Cebu City Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Office, and the LTFRB are jointly implementing the stricter rules. Penalties for violators include suspension of permits and confiscation of licenses until fines are paid.

Despite pushback, city officials maintain that the policy will help reduce congestion and improve road discipline in the long run. Bus operators, however, continue to appeal for adjustments, warning that the current scheme is unsustainable for both drivers and commuters.