12 provincial bus routes opened

MANILA, Philippines — More than six months since the COVID-19 outbreak, provincial buses can finally enter Metro Manila.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will open 12 provincial bus routes between Metro Manila and Central Luzon and Calabarzon starting Sept. 30.

The LTFRB said a total of 286 buses will be allowed to resume partial operations under the 12 modified routes on Wednesday.

The number of units comprise only about 30 percent of the total 1,445 units that were previously allowed to operate before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Only four provinces have allowed the resumption of public utility bus operations from the National Capital Region, namely, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Pampanga.

All buses need to board and unload passengers only at designated terminals, such as the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx) and the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

Passengers need to carry several documentary requirements before they would be allowed to board the public bus.

These include travel authority from the police, a valid identification card, written consent to undergo COVID-19 testing if required by the LGU and other documents that may be required by authorities.

All passengers, as well as the driver and conductor, would need to follow strict health protocols, such as wearing of face mask and shied and one-meter physical distancing.

Eating, drinking and even talking inside the bus would not be allowed.

The new protocols also indicate that passengers would need to secure their tickets two days before the trip, unless for an emergency.

All PUBs should also undergo strict sanitation services before and after each trip and this will be under regular monitoring by the LTFRB. Fares would be retained at pre-pandemic levels.

Passengers from the south areas can now travel these bus routes via PITx: Batangas City, Lemery, Lipa and Nasugbu in Batangas; Indang, Mendez, Tagaytay City and Ternate in Cavite; and Calamba City, Siniloan and Sta. Cruz in Laguna.

For passengers from San Fernando, Pampanga, they can access provincial buses at Araneta Center.