'Isang sakay na lang': LTFRB modifies 12 NCR, Rizal routes to ease commuter travel
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has modified 12 routes in the National Capital Region (NCR) Rizal and Surigao del Sur to accommodate more modern jeepneys in a bid to promote ease of travel for Filipino commuters.
LTFRB chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said the route modification is in support of the national government’s Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) and also intended to come up with the shortest and affordable daily travel for commuters.
Among the modified routes are Rodriguez, Rizal to Quezon Memorial Circle and vice versa; Rodriguez, Rizal to Antipolo City and vice versa; San Mateo, Rizal to Cubao, Quezon City via Marikina and vice versa; Mandaluyong City Hall to One Ayala Terminal Hub; and, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur to Surigao City via Bad-as Terminal.
“These modified routes are viable support to the PTMP and is also aimed at promoting ease of travel among our commuters. Through this, our kababayan in these areas will no longer need to avail two or more passenger jeepneys,” said Mendoza.
“This medication also shortened the travel time and would lead to commuters saving more time and transportation expenses. This is just one of the measures we are implementing as far as public transport modernization is concerned,” he added.
Mendoza said hundreds of routes are also being studied with the intention of coming up with the fastest and less inconvenient way of commuting across the country.
Aside from the comfort to the passengers, he said the modified routes are a welcome development on the part of the operators and drivers on the side of business as they will require more modern jeepneys.
The LTFRB is one of the agencies in charge of the full implementation of the PTMP.
After the final deadline extension for consolidation approved by President Marcos in 2024, the PTMP shifted its focus on route rationalization in coordination with the local government units.
Hundreds of new routes were already approved and several more are under review and study. At the same time, the gradual shift to the use of modern jeepneys are now being done.
The national government earlier increased the subsidy for the procurement of modern jeepneys to the maximum of P400,000 per unit.
The modified routes and the new modern jeepney unit requirements were among the 37,000 backlog that were resolved by the LTFRB so far.
“Our PTMP is on the right track and the additional new routes is proof of that. We will continue to exert efforts to implement the true intent of the PTMP. Our goal is to make commuting accessible, comfortable and affordable to the Filipino people. We assure the public that we are focused in achieving that goal,” said Mendoza.