MANILA – More traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will be back on the streets of Metro Manila on Wednesday after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday announced the resumption of 17 PUJ routes.
According to memorandum circular 2020–029, the LTFRB decided to allow the return to operation of 1,943 PUJs in 17 routes due to increased demand for public transportation.
“Based on the monitoring and coordination with local government units in Metro Manila, there is a need to open additional routes for traditional PUJs to serve passenger demand,” the memorandum read.
These routes, set to resume on Wednesday, include the MCU-Sangandaan route with 93 PUJs; Novaliches-Rizal Avenue via A. Bonifacio, 606; Tandang Sora-Visayas Avenue via Quezon City Hall, 100; Monumento-Paco, Obando via M. H. Del Pilar, 117; Quirino Highway-Sta. Lucia, 47; Crame-Cubao via Murphy, 177; Crame-Q Mart via P. Tuazon, E. Garcia, 73; and SSS Village, Marikina-Cubao, Quezon City, 38.
The other routes include Parang, Marikina-Marikina (TP) via Fortune, 100; Guadalupe (ABC)-Taguig via Tipas, 61; Calumpang-Cubao via P. Tuazon, 7; Ayala-Guadalupe (Ibabaw) via J.P. Rizal, 125; Libertad, Pasay-Pasay Road,120; Paco-Sta Mesa Rotonda via Nagtahan, 82; Pier South-Sta. Ana via P. Faura, 106; Navotas-Recto via Heroes Del 96, 75; and Gate-Greenhills Shopping Center Loop, 16.
According to a Facebook post by the LTFRB, the PUJs included in the memorandum can ply their existing routes with “no special permit necessary.”
However, it said the operator of these PUJs must already have a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or a pending application for extension of validity of CPC, the PUJ itself must be currently registered as roadworthy with the Land Transportation Office and with valid personal passenger insurance policy.
Moreover, it said a QR code will be issued to the PUJ operator to be printed and displayed on the PUJ before it goes out into the streets.
“The operator may secure their QR Code by downloading it from the LTFRB website at www.ltfrb.gov.ph starting tomorrow, July 28 at 3 p.m.,” the LTFRB said.
The fare for the routes will remain unchanged, it said, at PHP9 for the first four kilometers with an additional PHP1.50 for every succeeding kilometer.
“Operators are reminded that no fare adjustment shall be applied unless approved by the Board,” the LTFRB said.
In compliance with health and safety measures prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infections Disease (IATF-EID), it said that checking of body temperature will be required before, during and after PUJ operations, the mandatory wearing of face masks for passengers; face mask, shield and gloves for drivers; and limiting the number of passengers at half of maximum capacity.
It added that operators who fail to comply with the conditions set in the memorandum will incur penalties, from imposition of fines to cancellation or suspension of their CPC or provisional authority. (PNA)
