By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will allow modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to ply 15 routes in Metro Manila starting today, June 22. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) (MANILA BULLETIN) In a memorandum circular signed on June 19, the LTFRB said that modern PUJs or those units that have complied with the requirements set by the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) will be allowed to ply the identified routes. Covered by the memorandum circular are operators of OFGcompliant PUJs that have already consolidated themselves as juridical entities under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) with valid and existing Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or have been granted Provisional Authority (PA) for OFG-compliant PUJs operating in the National Capital Region, and those that will be entering Metro Manila from nearby provinces. “The resumption of PUJ operations in 15 routes in Metro Manila is part of our calibrated response to restore mass transportation in Metro Manila and in the adjacent provinces as we transition into new normal, taking into consideration the strict health protocols being enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said. Operators with expired PAs or CPCs who are covered by LTFRB Board Resolution No. 062 dated April 29, 2020 and LTFRB Board Resolution No. 100 dated May 9, 2020 are covered by the memorandum circular. The resumption of modern PUJ operations in Metro Manila and in nearby provinces, will be done gradually with 15 routes to open on June 22. The LTFRB has allowed 308 OFGcompliant modern PUJs to ply the following 15 Metro Manila routes: Novaliches – Malinta via Paso de Blas, Bagumbayan Taguig – Pasig via San Joaquin Fort Bonifacio Gate 3 – Guadalupe-Market Market-ABC Loop Service Pandacan – Leon Guinto Quezon Avenue – LRT 5th Avenue Station Cubao (Diamond) – Roces Super Palengke EDSA Buendia-Mandaluyong City Hall via Jupiter Rockwell, Divisoria-Gasak via H. Lopez Punta-Quiapo via Sta. Ana Boni Pinatubo – Stop and Shop, vice versa Boni Robinsons Complex-Kalentong/JRC vice versa Nichols-Vito Cruz, Filinvest City Loop Alabang Town Center (ATC)-Ayala Alabang Village Vito Cruz Taft Avenue-PITX Loop Service. Back-riding allowed for private motorcycles Riding pillion with the proper health safety measures, otherwise known as back-riding or “riding in tandem,” may only be allowed for private motorcycles as operations of motorcycle taxis remain suspended, according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran. Libiran made the clarification on Sunday amid reports that the InterAgency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved in principle the return of motorcycle taxis. “What the IATF considers allowing is the private use of motorcycles with back-riding, subject to health and safety protocols that are now being formulated by concerned agencies such as the DOTr, DOST (Department of Science of Technology), DOH (Department of Health), MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry),” the transportation official said. “These agencies will determine the safest and most effective way of reducing the risk of transmission in motorcycle back-riding,” she added. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque last Thursday said the guidelines, which detail various motorcycle back-riding contraptions and devices, such as pillion, will most likely be issued before the end of June. However, Libiran said there is a separate discussion on the resumption of operations of motorcycle taxis. “As mentioned in our previous statement, the pilot study (trial period) of motorcycle taxis had already expired in April. We already submitted our recommendations to the House of Representatives, and we are awaiting their action if they (motorcycle taxis) will be allowed to continue operations,” she said. “So, technically, there is nothing to resume in the meantime, unless a new law is passed allowing them to operate as a legal public transport mode,” she added. More routes Additional PUJ routes will also be opened by the LTFRB on June 24 and June 26 to serve other parts of Metro Manila that are adjacent to provinces as part of its calibrated resumption of public utility vehicle operations during the enforcement of the general community quarantine (GCQ). On June 24, PUJ routes that will open are: Bagong Silang – SM Fairview Malanday – Divisoria via M.H. Del Pilar Parang, Marikina – Cubao Eastwood, Libis – Capitol Commons Gasak – Recto via Dagatdagatan PITx – Lawton Alabang – Zapote PITX – Nichols PITX – SM Southmall By June 26, PUJ routes that will be opened are: Quirino Highway - UP Town Center SM Fairview – Commonwealth via Regalado Ave., QMC Loop Tikling – Binangonan Antipolo – Pasig via East Bank Road Rosario –Pinagbuhatan Pasig West Aveune – P. Noval via Del Monte Biñan – Balibago via Manila South Road Tramo – Sucat San Isidro – Congressional Junction Dasmariñas. Additional requirements Aside from being compliant with the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, the modern jeepneys that will be plying the routes during the GCQ must be currently registered and with valid personal passenger insurance policies, equipped with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) or GPS (Global Positioning System), and use cashless fare payments. Drivers and passengers must wear face masks at all times, disinfecting foot bath should be provided for passengers before boarding the jeepney, and physical distancing must strictly be observed inside the jeepneys. The LTFRB said OFG-compliant non-aircon PUJs will collect a minimum fare of ₱11 for the first four kilometers and ₱1.50 for each succeeding kilometer. OFG-compliant air conditioned PUJs will collect ₱11 for the first 4 kilometers and ₱1.80 for each succeeding kilometer. UV Express The resumption of operations of UV Express in Metro Manila will likely be allowed within the month. According to Delgra, the TWG has been exercising extra prudence to come up with the proposed guidelines that operators and drivers of UV Express should abide by in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).