IATF to allow resumption of point-to-point provincial buses

The government pandemic task force has allowed the resumption of the point-to-point operations of provincial buses, Malacañang announced Tuesday.

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the point-to-point routes of the provincial buses must be approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and concerned local government units.

The latest decision was contained in Resolution No. 88 issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). The task force met Monday to tackle the proposed operations of provincial buses, among others.

"Provincial buses in point-to-point routes approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the local government unit of destination, including their stop-over/transit terminals may resume their operations," the IATF resolution read.

"Point-to-point provincial buses shall be allowed unhampered passage through the different LGUs en route to the LGU of destination," it added.

The task force has also directed the Department of Transportation, through the LTFRB, to craft the necessary operational guidelines.

Concerned transport groups earlier appealed to the government to allow provincial buses to operate to help displaced workers during the pandemic.

Provincial buses have not been allowed on Metro Manila roads despite the gradual resumption of the operations of public transportation. Some provinces have reportedly closed their borders for buses going to and from the capital region as precaution against the coronavirus outbreak.