Over 1,300 additional traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) have been allowed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to operate in Metro Manila beginning Wednesday.
The LTFRB has issued Memorandum Circular 2020-040 allowing 1,333 jeepneys to operate in 23 routes on Aug. 26.
These are:
- Napocor Village/NIA Ville-SM North
- NAPOCOR/NIA Ville-Mindanao Ave. Congressional
- Bagbaguin-Malinta
- Katipunan-Marcos Ave./University Ave. via UP
- Libertad-PRC
- Santol-Pina Ave. via Buenos Aires
- Blumentritt-Divisoria
- Blumentritt-Libertad via Sta. Cruz, L. Guinto
- Libertad-Retiro via Mabini, Sta. Cruz, L Guinto
- España-Rizal Ave. via Blumenttrit
- Blumentritt-Retiro
- Arroceros-Blumentritt via Dimasalang
- Ayala-P. Burgos/J.P. Rizal
- Baclaran-Blumentritt via Mabini, Sta. Cruz
- Baclaran-Blumentritt via Quiapo/Mabini
- Dapitan-Pier South
- Divisoria-Libertad via L. Guinto
- Divisoria-Libertad via Mabini
- Divisoria-TM Kalaw via Jones Bridge
- España-Project 2&3 via Timog Ave.
- Project 4-TM Kalaw via Cubao, E. Rodriguez
- Pier South-Retiro via Sta. Cruz
- Multinational Village-Gate along Imelda Ave.
Once these routes become operational, this will bring the total number of routes opened by the LTFRB to 149 with 13,776 units.
According to the LTFRB, units serving the approved routes could ferry passengers even without a special permit but a special QR code is required prior to its operations.
The operator may secure the QR Code by downloading it from the LTFRB website where it will be available beginning Tuesday afternoon, and must be printed and displayed in the corresponding unit, the agency added.
The LTFRB reminded commuters that the existing fare of P9 for the first four kilometers and P1.50 for succeeding kilometers should be followed and no fare adjustment shall be applied unless approved by the Board.
In addition, the LTFRB said the unit must be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as "roadworthy" and has a valid Personal Passenger Insurance Policy.
Other requirements also include the strict observation of safety protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) such as monitoring of body temperature, wearing face masks and face shield, compliance with social distancing guidelines, as well as the operation of 50 percent maximum passenger capacity.