More passengers in Mindanao will soon be able to travel across the island as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to open additional routes for at least 40 provincial bus units.

The LTFRB has released Memorandum Circular 2020-051-I that authorized the opening of three routes in Mindanao starting Sunday.

These routes are Cagayan de Oro City to Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat; Davao City to Arakan, North Cotabato; and Davao City to Kidapawan City.

These bring the total number of provincial bus routes approved by the LTFRB to 50 covering 1,599 units since the government allowed them to return on the road last Sept. 30.

The LTFRB reminded drivers and operators that a special permit, which can be applied online through [email protected], will be required before provincial buses can ply the inter-regional routes.

According to the agency, only roadworthy provincial buses with a valid and existing Certificate of Public Convenience or Application for Extension of Validity  and a Personal Passenger Insurance Policy will be allowed to operate.

Drivers, operators, and passengers were reminded to strictly observe minimum health protocols while inside the bus such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields, observing physical distancing, no talking and making phone calls, and no eating.

Failure to comply with the guidelines will incur penalties such as imposition of fines or cancellation or suspension of the Certificate of Public Convenience or Provisional Authority of the unit, it warned.

The LTFRB added that it is continuously assessing more routes to be opened to accommodate more passengers as many workers continued to go back on the road as the economy reopens under the more relaxed community quarantine.

The board has so far approved more than 98,000 units of various Public Utility Vehicles since the enforcement of the General Community Quarantine which allowed public transport to return on the roads after months of hard lockdown.