BY ALEXANDRIA DENNISE SAN JUAN
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Monday that it will allow additional 1,943 traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJ) to operate in Metro Manila beginning this week.
Based on Memorandum Circular 2020-029 issued by the LTFRB, the PUJs will be allowed to ply the following existing 17 routes in the capital region starting Wednesday:
1. MCU – Sangandaan
2. Novaliches – Rizal Ave. via A. Bonifacio
3. Tandang Sora – Visayas Ave. via Quezon City Hall
4. Monumento – Paco, Obando via M.H. Del Pilar
5. Quirino Highway – Sta. Lucia
6. Crame – Cubao via Murphy
7. Crame – Q. Mart via P Tuazon, E. Garcia
8. SSS Village, Marikina – Cubao, Quezon City
9. Parang,Marikina – Marikina (TP) via Fortune
10. Guadalupe (ABC) – Taguig via Tipas
11. Calumpang – Cubao via P. Tuazon
12. Ayala – Guadalupe (Ibabaw) via JP Rizal
13. Libertad, Pasay – Pasay Rd.
14. Paco – Sta.Mesa Rtda via Nagtahan
15. Pier South – Sta. Ana via P. Faura
16. Navotas – Recto via Heroes Del 96
17. Gate 5 – Greenhills Shopping Center Loop
“All routes that have been approved by the LTFRB underwent tedious evaluation based on a gradual and calibrated opening of routes, and taking into consideration the hierarchy of public transportation,” the LTFRB explained.
According to the LTFRB, there are no special permits necessary for the authorized units but a QR (quick response) code shall be issued to the operator prior to operation.
The QR code, a special barcode that can be download from the LTFRB website starting Tuesday afternoon, will prove that their vehicles were among the units permitted to take passengers on the approved routes across the metropolis.
“The code must be printed in a short bond paper and displayed in the PUJ,” the LTFRB told drivers and operators.
Meanwhile, the regulatory body has reminded operators and drivers that the existing fare matrix of P9 for the first four kilometers and P1.50 for succeeding kilometers shall be followed.
“No fare adjustment shall be applied unless approved by the Board,” it added.
Operators are also required to comply with safety measures issued by the Inter-Agency Task for Emerging Infectious Diseases before, during, and after operations, such as checking of body temperature, and the mandatory wearing of face mask/shield and gloves at all times, and operating at a maximum of 50 percent of its capacity.
The LTFRB warned that failure to comply with the guidelines set by the Board will incur penalties such as imposition of fines or cancellation or suspension of the Certificate of Public Convenience or Provisional Authority of the unit.
Last July 3, a total of 6,002 jeepneys had been authorized by the Board to operate in 49 routes in Metro Manila.
