MANILA, Philippines — The government plans to open all 31 “rationalized” city bus routes in Metro Manila this week, just days before more forms of public transportation are expected to return to the streets.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday opened three more composed of Route 14 (Ayala-Alabang), Route 15 (Ayala-Biñan) and Route 27 (PITX-Trece Martires).
Another three are expected on Thursday, bringing the total number of operational routes to 26. These are Route 23 (PITX-Sucat), Route 26 (PITX-Naic) and Route 30 (PITX-Cavite City).
The LTFRB has yet to announce the schedule of the opening of the five remaining routes (Routes 10, 12, 19, 20 and 22) and the remaining portion of the Route E Edsa carousel.
“The opening of routes is based on a gradual, calibrated and in-phases approach of the government as public transport services resume,” it said in a statement.
Daily adjustments
“Adjustments were made every day to help our commuters move from one point to another, but without compromising their health and safety,” it added.
In a Laging Handa hearing last week, LTFRB chair Martin Delgra III said they were planning to open all 31 routes on June 19, ahead of the second phase, which would see the return to the streets of modern jeepneys and UV Express vans starting on June 22.
The first phase from June 1 to June 21 provided commuters access to trains, bus augmentations, point-to-point buses, taxi cabs, and transport network vehicle services (TNVS)—all under limited capacity to maintain physical distancing and prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease.
As of Sunday, the LTFRB said a total of 36,994 taxis (18,719) and TNVS units (18,815) had been allowed to resume operations.
However, there was still no word on when traditional jeepneys and provincial buses would be given the go signal to ply their routes again.
The government has urged the public to ride bicycles, even as protected bike lanes have yet to be constructed, especially along main roads in the Metro.
Transport authorities started opening city bus routes on June 2, a day after Metro Manila was placed under general community quarantine to accommodate the thousands of commuters returning to work.
The rationalized routes replaced the existing 96 routes in Metro Manila before the pandemic, as detailed under LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2020-019 dated May 14.
The 31 routes stretch from north to south — extending from Angat, Bulacan to Biñan, Laguna — and from southwest to east from Cavite to Rizal.