LTFRB assures more jeepneys to operate in Metro Manila once back to GCQ

MANILA, Philippines — More jeepneys will be made available for commuters once Metro Manila reverts back to a general community quarantine (GCQ) status, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) assured Tuesday.

LTFRB chief Martin Delgra made this commitment before lawmakers during the online hearing of the House committee on transportation amid the possible easing of quarantine in the national capital region.

“On the issue of the PUJ (public utility jeepney) please be assured that when hopefully the restriction will ease up by August 19, there will be more PUJ that will be more PUJs that will be running on the streets of Metro Manila,” Delgra said.

According to Delgra, even when public transport was suspended upon the imposition of stricter quarantine protocols in Metro Manila, the LTFRB continued its meetings on possibly adding more public utility vehicles on the road.

“Hindi lang PUJ, though we are focusing on PUJs because it has the most number of public utility vehicles, but also on the buses as well as the UV,” Delgra said.

“Please be assured that when we open, we will increase the number of PUJ routes,” he added.

In a Facebook post, LTFRB announced that nearly 1,000 more traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will be allowed to operate while 15 additional routes will be opened once Metro Manila is placed back under GCQ.

“Pwedeng bumiyahe ang mga traditional PUJs sa mga rutang nakasaad sa MC nang walang SPECIAL PERMIT,” the LTFRB said.

(Traditional jeepneys can go back on the road even without special permits.)

“Ngunit kapalit ng SPECIAL PERMIT ay ang QR Code na ibibigay sa bawat operator bago pumasada. Ang QR Code ay dapat naka-print sa short bond paper at naka-display sa PUJ unit,” it added.

/MUF