LTFRB to open more provincial bus routes

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will open additional provincial point-to-point bus routes on Monday.

These routes cover Clark, Pampanga to SM North Edsa, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Lubao in Pampanga, Dagupan in Pangasinan and Subic, Zambales; NAIA-Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange to Baguio City and  Batangas City and Lipa City to Ortigas and PITX.

The opening of the new point-to-point bus routes was approved under a resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF on Monday.

The LTFRB said only roadworthy public utility vehicles with valid existing certificate of public convenience or application for extension of validity as well as personal passenger insurance policy will be allowed to operate.

These point-to-point buses need to apply for a special permit for the inter-regional routes.

They can only pick up and drop off passengers at designated terminals to ensure health and safety protocols.

The LTFRB urged all bus operators and the public to strictly follow the seven commandments of health safety in public utility vehicles.

There are now 1,372 authorized provincial bus units operating under 41 routes that can go in and out of Metro Manila.

More than 1,000 bus units have been plying 41 approved routes since provincial buses have been allowed to operate since Sept. 30.

The government had imposed restrictions on mass transportation to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.