More than 6,000 units of roadworthy traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will be allowed to ply 49 routes in Metro Manila beginning today, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced.
In LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular 2020-026 released on Wednesday, the board issued guidelines for the resumption of operations of PUJs in the metropolis during the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Under the memorandum, signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, a total of 6,002 jeepneys have been authorized by the board to ply these identified routes:
• Camarin – Novaliches
• Karuhatan – Ugong
• Malabon – Monumento via Letre
• Malabon (TP) – Navotas (TP)
• Monumento – Navotas via Letre
• Cubao – Proj. 4 via J.P. Rizal
• Cubao – San Juan via N. Domingo
• IBP Road – Lupang Pangako via Gravel Pit Road
• Marikina – Pasig
• Pantranco – Proj. 2 & 3 via Kamuning
• Proj. 2 & 3 – Q Mart
• Sucat-Highway – Bagumbayan
• Ayala – Pateros via JP Rizal
• Marikina – Pateros via Pasig
• A. Boni – A. Mabini via 10th Ave.
• A. Bonifacio – D Tuazon/E. Rodriguez Ave.
• A. Rivera – Raon via Severino Reyes
• Ayala – Mantrade via Pasong Tamo
• Ayala – Washington
• Balic-Balic – Quiapo via Lepanto
• Balic-Balic – Bustillos via G. Tuazon
• Balic-Balic – España/M. Dela Fuente
• Balintawak – Frisco
• Balut – Blumentritt
• Blumentritt – North Harbor via Divisoria
• Boni – Kalentong JRC via Boni Ave.
• Dian – Libertad
• Divisoria – Gastambide via Morayta
• Divisoria – Pier North via Plaza Moriones
• Divisoria – Quiapo via Evangelista
• Evangelista – Libertad
• Divisoria – Velasquez
• Guadalupe Market – L. Guinto via Pasig Line
• L. Guinto – Sta. Ana
• Herbosa/Pritil – P. Guevarra via Tayuman
• Kalentong/JRC – P. Victorino via P. Cruz
• Divisoria – Sta. Cruz via San Nicolas
• Kayamanan C – PRC via Pasong Tamo
• L. Guinto – Zobel Roxas via Paco
• Lardizabal – Rizal Ave. via M. Dela Fuente
• Lealtad – Quiapo (Barbosa) via Lepanto
• Kalentong/JRC – Libertad (Mandaluyong) Nueve de Pebrero
• Kalentong/JRC – Namayan via Vergara
• North Harbor – Quiapo via Evangelista
• P. Faura – San Andres
• Quezon Ave. – Sta. Mesa Market via Araneta Ave.
• Crame – San Juan via Pinaglabanan
• Alabang – Sucat via M.L. Quezon
• Soldiers Hill (Phase IV) – Talon via Alvarez
In a virtual briefing on Thursday, Delgra said the Board has approved these already existing routes plying Metro Manila that do not overlap with the other routes earlier opened for other modes of public transportation such as buses and modernized PUJs.
Under the memorandum, traditional PUJs can ply the routes with no special permit, however, a corresponding QR Code shall be issued to the operator prior to operation, which must be printed and displayed in the corresponding unit.
The operator may secure said QR Code by downloading it from the LTFRB website at www.ltfrb.gov.ph, the agency added.
Delgra said units may operate without the QR Code until Sunday to give way to the migration of the LTFRB website to another server which is expected to be completed within the day.
Names of operators that will be allowed to ply the road will be released by the LTFRB on its Facebook page on Thursday.
The LTFRB said operators included in the list may return on the road provided that they are currently registered roadworthy with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and with valid Personal Passenger Insurance Policy.
In addition, the LTFRB emphasized that the existing fare of P9 for the first four kilometers and P1.50 for succeeding kilometers should be followed and no fare adjustment shall be applied unless approved by the Board.
CONTACTLESS PAYMENT
In line with the “new normal” transition, the LTFRB urged operators and drivers to implement contactless payment such as asking passengers to pay exact fare first before boarding the vehicle.
Operators and drivers may also devise any fare collection system such as the use of drop box that would prevent or minimize the spread of the virus.
Operators and drivers are likewise required to comply with a series of safety measures prior to dispatch and during operations, such as checking of body temperature, wearing masks and gloves at all times, and operating at a maximum of 50 percent capacity, and distributing Passenger Contact Forms for contact tracing purposes.
Failure to comply with the conditions set by the board will incur penalties from imposition of fines to cancellation or suspension of the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or Provisional Authority (PA), the agency warned. (Alexandria San Juan)
