LTFRB opening new routes to offset suspension of PNR operations

PNR PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday announced that it would open three public transportation routes for passengers affected by the looming suspension of Philippine National Runway (PNR) operations.

According to LTFRB in a statement, the following routes will be opened for affected commuters:

• FTI-Divisoria via East Service Road 
• Alabang (Starmall)-Divisoria via South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) for public buses
• Malabon-Divisoria for Modern Public Utility Jeepneys (MPUJ).

LTFRB said that 30 public utility bus units are expected to ply the FTI-Divisoria route and 25 units for the Alabang (Starmall)-Divisoria route. 

Meanwhile, five MPUJs can ply the Malabon-Divisoria route, but this may still change depending on the number of passengers.

“The effect of the closure of these select PNR stations on commuters will be quite substantial, so through these PUV routes, we hope to lessen the impact of the closure,” said LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III.

“We appreciate the help of the PNR in identifying the routes, and we know that once the NSCR is completed, its benefits will be truly worth it in terms of passenger mobility along our railways, which is regarded as one of the most convenient and affordable modes of public transportation in the country,” he added.

LTFRB said that the selection of operators on the newly-opened routes  was under the LTFRB’s “Consolidated Guidelines on the Process of Issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience and Provisional Authority/Special Permit Under the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines and Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.”

The PUVs on the said routes, then LTFRB added, should not be more than five years old, based on its Certificate of Registration at the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and must carry a special permit that is only valid for one year but can be renewed annually until the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) is fully operational.

LTFRB said the existing fares for public buses approved by the LTFRB Board would also be implemented on the opened routes.

The PNR is set to suspend its operations for five years to give way to and expedite the completion of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.

PNR’s Alabang – Calamba route will be suspended starting July 2. 

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