LTFRB Allows PUJs in Bulacan to Resume Operation

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has allowed public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators in Bulacan to resume their operations during the implementation of the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) in the province.

This was in response to the request of Governor Daniel Fernando to allow the PUJ operators to ply existing and old routes as the government eases lockdown measures.

According to the LTFRB order, the issuance of the special permit is subject to 50-percent operations daily with an alternative schedule, Fernando said on Thursday afternoon.

"Ni-request natin na ibalik ang dating ruta para maiwasan ang kumplikasyon sa TODA (Transport Operators and Drivers Association). Sila na din ang ni-lobby natin na magbigay ng schedule sa mga driver para mas maayos, at para lahat pantay ang oportunidad na makapaghanapbuhay. Pero 'wag nating kalimutan na nandyan pa rin ang pandemic at MGCQ pa rin. Mag-iingat po tayo (We requested to bring back the old routes to avoid complications with the TODA. We also lobbied them to give a schedule to the drivers to make it orderly and for equal livelihood opportunities. But let us not forget that the pandemic is still there and we are still under MGCQ, thus we have to be careful)," he said.

Lawyer Jesus Sison, head of the LTFRB 3 (Central Luzon) Anti-Colorum Operation, said although more routes are now open, there are still rules to follow, among them the wearing of face mask and gloves for drivers, the “no face mask, no ride” policy, physical distancing for passengers, vehicle disinfection every end of each trip, disinfection of frequently touched surfaces every three hours, availability of thermal scanners in terminals, and right fare rates.

Based on the order, the minimum fare for the traditional PUJs is PHP9 for the first four kilometers and additional PHP1.50 per succeeding kilometer while the minimum fare for modernized jeepneys is PHP11 and PHP1.50 per succeeding kilometer.

Meanwhile, Billy Tatil, chairman of the Bulacan Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association, said he and his colleagues are thankful that they can now return to work and provide services to their fellow Bulakenyos.

Leonardo Bautista, chairman of the Palmera-Gumaoc-Novaliches Transport Multipurpose Service Cooperative, asked if they could have a fuel subsidy and medical assistance.

Sison assured that they would discuss the matter as he explained that for fuel subsidy, the jeepney operators will be provided with forms to be filled out for the computation of expenses.