Those who have to take public transportation during the ongoing pandemic might have an easier time finding rides soon, as the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced that it is set to deploy thousands of more jeepneys and buses next week.
During a Zoom press conference held earlier today, LTFRB officer-in-charge Zona Tamayo confirmed that 250 new routes will be opened, and 4,400 additional buses and jeepneys will begin plying Metro Manila next week.
“Patuloy ho ang ating pagbubukas ng mga ruta bunsod na rin po ng direktibo ni Secretary Arthur Tugade. At sa susunod na linggo po ay tinitignan natin na magbubukas po tayo ng additional na 4,400 units,” Tamayo said.
“Ito po ay ang mga traditional PUJs, traditional jeepneys, at iyon pong mga bus galing sa mga probinsya na papasok ng Metro Manila.”
Tamayo also stressed that while provincial buses will be allowed to enter Metro Manila, their entry will still be subject to approval from concerned local government units (LGU).
“Doon po sa mga buses po na papaok ng Metro Manila, ito po ay subject po kung papayagan sila ng concerned LGUs dahil sa ngayon po ay nasa LGU po iyon kung papapasukin or ire-resume na po ang operation ng ating mga provincial buses,” Tamayo said, adding that bus and jeepney operators are also being reminded to observe COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
“So sa susunod ho na linggo, asahan niyo po na magtataas pa ang mga rutang papayagang bumiyahe, partikular na po dito sa Metro Manila. Sa mga ibang lugar po sa bansa, constant po, patuloy po ang pag-coordinate ng ating mga regional office sa mga local government units tungkol po sa resumption of operations sa mga lugar nila.”
The additional routes and units will be on top of the 745 routes 53,441 PUVs already servicing commuters within Metro Manila. Let’s see how much this will help the capital’s already overburdened public transportation system.
