MANILA, Philippines — Around 4,400 public utility vehicles will be allowed to resume operations in Metro Manila as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will open a total of 250 more PUV routes next week, an official announced yesterday.
LTFRB officer-in-charge Zona Tamayo said 1,800 traditional jeepneys and 2,600 provincial buses would be allowed to operate in the metropolis.
The operations of provincial buses will still depend on the quarantine protocols set by the local government units of their destination, Tamayo said.
He said the reopening of more transport routes would push through next week even if the enhanced community quarantine is extended in the National Capital Region Plus bubble.
The LTFRB said this is to provide safer and more transport options for frontliners, workers and authorized persons outside residence amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the total transportation shutdown last year, the LTFRB has reopened some 76 percent of routes and PUV units in Metro Manila.
The transport regulator said a total of 745 routes are operational in Metro Manila and served by a total of 53,441 PUVs, including buses, jeepneys and UV express units.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the reopening of more routes would mean safer options for commuters amid reports of colorum vehicles illegally transporting people in and out of Metro Manila.
“With the opening of provincial bus routes, we expect to provide mobility na hindi magiging transmission vector ang PUVs at masusunod ang public health protocols,” DOTr Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor said.