The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) assured on Sunday that no fare increases will be implemented when provincial buses resume operations on Sept. 30.
LTFRB Technical Division head Joel Bolano said the same fare rates prior to the pandemic will be initially applied as stated under Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-051.
Before bus operations were suspended in March, ordinary provincial buses were charging ₱9 for the first five kilometers, and an additional ₱1.55 per succeeding kilometer.
Meanwhile, the succeeding fare per kilometer for regular air-conditioned buses is ₱1.75, ₱1.85 for deluxe, ₱1.95 for super deluxe, and ₱2.40 for luxury buses.
The LTFRB last Saturday announced the resumption of operations in 12 modified provincial bus routes covering 286 units going to Metro Manila from nearby provinces starting Sept. 30.
LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said the routes to be opened are for provincial buses emerging from Regions 3 (Central Luzon) and 4A (CALABARZON) following a series of consultations with local officials, as well as terminals and bus operators, as the economy gradually reopens under a more relaxed community quarantine.
Under the LTFRB MC, the following modified routes will be opened for provincial buses at the end of the month:
1. San Fernando, Pampanga – Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
2. Batangas City, Batangas – Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX)
3. Lemery, Batangas – PITX
4. Lipa City, Batangas – PITX
5. Nasugbu, Batangas – PITX
6. Indang, Cavite – PITX
7. Mendez, Cavite – PITX
8. Tagaytay City, Cavite – PITX
9. Ternate, Cavite – PITX
10. Calamba City, Laguna – PITX
11. Siniloan, Laguna – PITX
12. Sta. Cruz, Laguna – PITX
Delgra said pick-up or drop-off of passengers in between the approved routes will not be allowed except on the designated stop-over points or terminals as discussed by the LTFRB and local government units (LGUs).
He also urged passengers to purchase tickets in advance and bring the necessary requirements for travel.
These include travel pass issued by the Philippine National Police from where they are coming from, a valid identification card, and other documents to be required by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the concerned LGU.
A written consent is also required to ensure that passengers agree to undergo COVID-19 testing or quarantine at the terminal or end-point destination in case the LGU requires it.