Buses, PUJs, UV express start plying routes today; LTFRB lists 15 Metro Manila routes allowed for jeepneys

Courtesy DOTr

(Eagle News) — Starting today, Monday, June 22, public utility jeepneys, buses, and UV express vehicles can ply their routes, but with stringent health protocols such as one-seat apart distancing, wearing of face masks, and disenfecting foot baths for boarding passengers, according to the Department of Transportation.

This is phase 2 of the government’s plan on public transportation amid the relaxation of community quarantine protocols in phases.

From June 1-21, the government has already implemented Phase 2 of the resumption of public transportation in areas under General Community Quarantine which includes the Philippine capital, Metro Manila.

This includes the operations of rail transport, point-to-point (P2P) bus service, city buses, taxis, Transport Network Vehicle Service, shuttle services, tricycles, and bicycles.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said that it has in fact given modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) the green light to ply 15 routes starting today, June 22, to serve areas in Metro Manila “as the transition into the “new normal” continues.”

-Only PUJs which complied with requirements to be allowed to ply routes-

The LTFRB, in a memorandum circular dated June 19, said that modern PUJs or those units that have complied with the requirements set by the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) will be allowed to ply the identified routes.

Covered by the memorandum circular are operators of OFG-compliant PUJs that have already consolidated themselves as juridical entities under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) with valid and existing Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or have been granted Provisional Authority (PA) for OFG-compliant PUJs operating in the National Capital Region, and those that will be entering Metro Manila from nearby provinces, the LTFRB said.

“The resumption of PUJ operations in 15 routes in Metro Manila is part of our calibrated response to restore mass transportation in Metro Manila and in the adjacent provinces as we transition into new normal, taking into consideration the strict health protocols being enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III.

“We are exhausting all efforts to balance our mandate in transportation with our responsibility of helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. That is why we are observing a gradual and calculated approach for the resumption of public transportation particularly in areas under GCQ,” he said.

The LTFRB said that jeepney operators with expired PAs or CPCs who are covered by LTFRB Board Resolution No. 062 dated April 29, LTFRB Board Resolution No. 100 dated May 9, are also covered by the memorandum circular.

“The resumption of modern PUJ operations in Metro Manila and in nearby provinces, will be done gradually with 15 routes to open on Monday, 22 June 2020. The LTFRB has allowed 308 OFG-compliant modern jeepneys to ply the identified routes,” the LTFRB said.

-Metro Manila routes for public jeepneys-

The 15 Metro Manila routes with the corresponding number of PUJs per route are:

Novaliches – Malinta via Paso de Blas
Bagumbayan Taguig – Pasig via San Joaquin
Fort Bonifacio Gate 3 – Guadalupe-Market Market-ABC Loop Service
Pandacan – Leon Guinto
Quezon Avenue – LRT 5th Avenue Station
Cubao (Diamond) – Roces Super Palengke
EDSA Buendia-Mandaluyong City Hall via Jupiter, Rockwell
Divisoria-Gasak via H. Lopez
Punta-Quiapo via Sta. Ana
Boni Pinatubo – Stop and Shop, vice versa
Boni Robinson’s Complex-Kalentong/JRC vice versa
Nichols-Vito Cruz
Filinvest City Loop
Alabang Town Center (ATC)-Ayala Alabang Village
Vito Cruz Taft Avenue-PITX Loop Service

The following additional PUJ routes will be opened by the LTFRB on June 24, and on June 26 to serve other parts of Metro Manila that are adjacent to provinces as part of its calibrated resumption of public utility vehicle operations during the enforcement of the GCQ.

24 June 2020:

Bagong Silang – SM Fairview
Malanday – Divisoria via M.H. del Pilar
Parang, Marikina – Cubao
Eastwood, Libis – Capitol Commons
Gasak – Recto via Dagat-dagatan
PITx – Lawton
Alabang – Zapote
PITX – Nichols
PITX – SM Southmall
26 June 2020:

Quirino Highway – UP Town Center
SM Fairview – Commonwealth via Regalado Ave.
QMC Loop
Tikling – Binangonan
Antipolo – Pasig via East Bank Road
Rosario – Pinagbuhatan Pasig
West Aveune – P. Noval via Del Monte
Biñan – Balibago via Manila South Road
Tramo – Sucat
San Isidro – Congressional Junction Dasmarinas

-Cashless fare payments, GPS, wearing of face masks, 1 seat-apart distancing-

“Aside from being compliant to the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, the modern jeepneys that will be plying routes during the GCQ must also be currently registered and with valid personal passenger insurance policies. The modern jeepneys must also be equipped with GNSS (global navigation satellite system) or global positioning system for proper monitoring of movement,” the LTFRB said in a statement.

It stresed the importance of the use of “cashless fare payments” for jeepneys, and other PUVs.

“Jeepney operators and drivers must make sure that commuters can make use of their mobile apps or contactless smart cards to pay for fares,” the bureau said.

It also required jeepney drivers, conductors and passengers to “wear face masks at all times.”

“Drivers or operators should provide a disinfecting foot bath for passengers to use before boarding the jeepney, and physical distancing must strictly be observed inside the jeepneys,” the LTFRB said.

“The passenger load of each jeepney must not exceed 50 percent of its seating capacity (excluding the driver and conductor),” it said.

For all PUV, “passengers must be seated one seat apart and no standing passengers will be allowed.”

“Seats to be occupied by passengers must be properly marked in the vehicle,” the LTFRB said.

“Should jeepney operators wish to maximize the 50 percent passenger load of the unit, impermeable barriers to separate the driver’s compartment and between rows of seats that are less than one meter apart, are allowed to be installed,” it said.

The LTFRB is also requiring all jeepneys plying the identified routes during the GCQ to “properly display the existing fare matrix for the information of the passengers.”

The LTFRB said OFG-compliant non-aircon PUJs will collect a minimum fare of P11 for the first 4 kilometers and P1.50 for each succeeding kilometer. OFG-compliant airconditioned PUJs will collect P11 for the first 4 kilometers and P1.80 for each succeeding kilometer.

PUV operators and drivers who fail to comply with any of the aforementioned conditions will be subjected to the imposition of fines/penalties, and/or cancellation or suspension of their certificate of public convenience or provisional authority under Joint Administrative Circular No. 2014-001, it added.

 

(Eagle News Service)