968 more PUJs to be allowed in 15 NCR routes for return to GCQ

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will allow additional 968 traditional public utility jeepneys to ply 15 routes in the National Capital Region for the expected return of the metropolis to general community quarantine status on August 19, 2020.

In a Facebook post on August 12, the LTFRB announced that it is going to implement an earlier plan for the operations of PUJs in Metro Manila under GCQ.  

On July 31, before the NCR was reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status for 15 days (Aug. 4 to 18), upon the appeal of the health community,  the LTFRB through a memorandum circular (MC) planned to put back on roads additional 968 traditional PUJs by  August 5.

But the LTFRB then put on hold its plan after President Rodrigo Duterte gave way to the medical community's call for a "time out" and placed the NCR and neighboring provinces under MECQ.

Based on the shelved LTFRB MC 2020-029A, PUJs plying the 15 designated routes would be allowed to operate without securing a special permit.

But instead of a special permit they are required to secure a QR Code that should be printed and displayed in the jeepney unit. Additionally, PUJ units should be certified roadworthy by the LTFRB.

There should be no fare increase, the LTFRB reminded the PUJ drivers.

Moreover, drivers must observe COVID-19  protocols and health measures laid down by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), including checking on body temperature, wearing of face mask, and practicing social distancing.

Also, as recently approved, wearing of face shields is mandatory in all public transport modes.

As indicated in LTFRB's earlier memorandum, the following routes will be opened for PUJs staring Augus 19:

• T115 Malabon - Monumento via Acacia
• T116 Cielito- Novaliches via Zabarte
• T117 Novaliches - Deparo via Susano
• T118 SM Fairview - Lagro Subd. Loop
• T119 Meycauayan, Bulacan - Bignay
• T120 Pantranco - Project 8 via Roosevelt
• T217 Forbes Park - Pasay Rd. via Ayala Commercial Center
• T218 Pasig - Taguig via Maestrang Pinang, Tipas
• T219 Marikina - Paenaan
• T220 Katipunan - Marcos Ave/Tandang Sora
• T347 Cabrera - Libertad
• T348 Arroceros - Cubao via España
• T349 Quiapo (Barbossa) - Santol, Sta. Mesa
• T350 Dagat-dagatan - Delpan via Divisoria
• T351 Quiapo - San Miguel via Palanca

The LTFRB strongly advised PUJ drivers to observe protocols and rules to avoid punishment for any violations as specified in the memorandum circular. —LBG, GMA News