The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has temporarily modified the routes of some public utility vehicles (PUVs) going to Metro Manila to ferry more passengers for the New Year’s Day celebrations.
In its Board Resolution No. 156, the LTFRB has modified the route structure of some passenger jeepneys and buses operating to and from Bulacan area passing through integrated terminals to maintain the availability of PUVs and augment the demand of the riding public.
Under the resolution signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and Board Members, public utility jeepneys (PUJs) traversing the Monumento – Sta. Maria, Bulacan via NLEX route are now allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at the North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) and Valenzuela Gateway Complex (VGC).
Public utility buses (PUBs) on the Angat, Bulacan – Monumento route and point-to-point buses on Bocaue/Sta. Maria, Bulacan – North EDSA route can also pick and drop passengers at NLET.
Meanwhile, other modified routes for PUBs include Monumento – NLET via VGC, NLEX; and North EDSA – NLET via VGC, NLEX, Mindanao Exit.
According to the LTFRB, the operation of these modified routes will remain until recalled by the Board.
Based on the previous resolution released by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), all provincial buses are required to begin and end their trips at the identified Integrated Terminal Exchanges such as NLET for PUBs coming from provinces north of Metro Manila and at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) for passengers from the south.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB reminded drivers and passengers to still observe the following seven commandments inside public transport:
1. Wear masks and face shields
2. No talking and making phone calls
3. No eating
4. Keep public utility vehicles well-ventilated
5. Conduct frequent disinfection
6. No passengers with COVID-19 symptoms are to be allowed inside the public transportation
7. Observe appropriate physical distancing rule
The LTFRB likewise warned PUV operators that sanctions such as fines and revocation of license await if they failed to observe the guidelines.