The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has allowed 1,159 more traditional jeepneys to ply the 28 additional routes in Metro Manila to be opened starting Monday, September 14.

Under LTFRB's Memorandum Circular 2020-046 released to reporters on Saturday, Sept. 12, a total of 1,159 traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) have been authorized to operate in the routes to be opened next week.

Since the enforcement of GCQ in the capital region on June 1, the LTFRB has so far approved at least 206 routes for traditional jeepneys with 17,372 units; and 45 modern PUJ routes with 786 units.Show quoted text

The QR code, a special barcode that can be downloaded from the LTFRB website starting Sunday, will prove that their vehicles were among the units permitted to take passengers on the approved routes across the metropolis.

According to the LTFRB, 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.

Drivers and operators were also reminded to strictly observe safety protocols such as monitoring of body temperature, mandatory wearing face masks and face shields, and compliance in social distancing guidelines.

The LTFRB warned that failure to comply with the guidelines set by the Board will incur penalties such as imposition of fines or cancellation or suspension of the Certificate of Public Convenience or Provisional Authority of the unit.

The opening of more routes aims to accommodate more workers who are going back to work as restrictions have been eased under a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ).

The transport regulatory body has also allowed 3,854 public utility buses to ply 32 routes; 387 point-to-point buses in 34 routes; and 1,905 UV Express units in 59 routes.

Meanwhile, 20,891 taxi and 23,968 Transport Network Vehicles Services (TNVS) units have been approved by the LTFRB to ferry passengers in the capital region.