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LTFRB: Public transport may face losses over passenger capacity limit

The public transport sector may face losses due to limited passenger capacity imposed in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 threat, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said Sunday.

“Marami po, hindi lang sa bus, kundi sa ibang public transpo expected po natin dahil nga kalahati ng kanilang capacity ang mawawala,” LTFRB technical division chief Joel Bolano said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Under the general community quarantine, only 50 percent of the original passenger capacity of public utility vehicles will be allowed to be occupied. The Inter-Agency task Force imposed the measure so that passengers can observe social distancing.

Bolano said fare increase to ease the loss of the public transport sector is not in the discussion.

On Thursday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning to subsidize a part of public utility vehicles (PUV) operators’ daily fuel consumption requirements as part of recovery plan.

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Transport group Piston earlier suggested that the government continue providing financial support to drivers even if partial operations of public utility vehicles are allowed.

Piston National President George San Mateo pointed out that the proposal of limiting the passenger capacity to 30 percent would badly affect the income of drivers. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News