DOTr, LTFRB urged: Review bus, jeepney routes

MANILA, Philippines – A House leader urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Saturday to review the franchises and routes of passenger buses and jeepneys.

Mindoro Occidental Rep. Josephine Sato, a member of the Commission on Appointments (CA) and the House committee on transportation, said the two agencies could help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila by diverting buses and jeepneys to other routes.

“When was the last time the DOTr and LTFRB reviewed the franchises and routes of public utility buses and jeepneys? It’s time for the two agencies to re-engineer and rationalize routes to ease traffic congestion in major roads,” Sato said.

She said the DOTr and LTFRB should consider diverting passenger buses to other routes to reduce the number of vehicles along EDSA and other major roads.

“We should learn to use secondary roads in the metropolis to decongest major thoroughfares,” she said.

She said the rationalization of franchises and routes would make public transportation more efficient.

“Private motor vehicle owners will not bring their cars and endure traffic jams every day unless necessary. If their destinations can be reached by bus or jeep faster, there is no reason for them to bring their vehicles to work,” she said.

Sato noted that route re-engineering had been proposed before but it fell on deaf ears.

She said she would confront DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade with the proposal when he appears before the CA for confirmation.