LTFRB says coordination with LGUs need to open provincial bus routes

August 18, 2020

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday said coordination with local government units (LGUs) is needed in opening provincial bus routes.

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra, in a virtual briefing, said planning and preparations for the opening of provincial bus routes are underway.

“There are some key parameters that we need to understand here… more importantly, during this time of pandemic, we need to manage people, and having to manage people is not just the responsibility of DOTr (Department of Transportation) and LTFRB to move the people from their place of origin to their destination but also to coordinate with other stakeholders who have responsibility in managing people,” Delgra said.

He said LGUs play a vital role here.

“That is the reason  we continue to consult with them, especially on regions… more particularly provincial bus routes that are entering Metro Manila or originating from Metro Manila going out to provinces,” he said.

“A number of LGUs are still not open to opening their borders... In fact, about a few days before the announcement of Metro Manila status going back to MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine), we received resolutions from the governors of Region 3 to close the border of bus routes going to and from Metro Manila,” he added.

As for traditional jeepneys, Delgra said there is an increase of close to 60 percent in allowed units that will be allowed to operate on Wednesday.

“Hopefully this will avoid and avert problems in the past as regards to the lack of public transport,” he said.

Delgra clarified this will not be the only number of allowed traditional jeepneys and they will continue to add more routes in the coming weeks.

“Our review of existing routes and planning of additional routes to be opened is continuous,” Delgra said.

For traditional PUJs, the LTFRB has allowed the operation of additional 4,498 units in 60 routes. This is on top of the 7,945 authorized units in 66 routes as of July 29.

This brings the total of authorized traditional PUJs to 12,443 in 126 routes.

On Wednesday, all modes of public transportation allowed by the DOTR and LTFRB will begin to operate after being suspended for two weeks due to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 4 to 18. Ella Dionisio/DMS