The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the provincial buses operations could resume in the coming weeks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Wala pang specific date, but we’re trying to facilitate, expedite din po ang pagbubukas ng provincial buses hopefully in the next couple of weeks,” LTFRB National Capital Region director Atty. Zona Russet Tamayo said in an interview on Unang Hirit.
“Sisimulan natin sa mga probinsya na malapit sa Metro Manila, katulad po ng Regions III and IV (A and B). Then eventually, mag-ease out sa mas malalayong regions naman po,” she added.
The director said LTFRB is still coordinating with concerned LGUs to establish a unified set of guidelines for passengers who would be allowed to travel across different provinces and regions.
Tamayo said some local government units have different recommendations about the guidelines.
Some of the possible requirements include travel clearance from the local government where the passengers come from, clearance from the Philippine National Police, and government-issued ID, she added.
The national government only allows 50% capacity of provincial buses, Tamayo said.
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Provincial buses may resume operations soon – LTFRB
Despite the reduced passenger capacity, Tamayo said the existing fare should be maintained.
DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. said Monday LTFRB is already ironing the guidelines for the provincial buses.
“Inaayos na po ng LTFRB’ yan and I think baka po within the week ay maglabas na po ang LTFRB po ng kanilang guidelines para diyan po,” he said.
The government, so far, allowed the operation of trains, jeepneys, taxis, transport network vehicle services, UV express units, tricycles, shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and augmentation buses in the National Capital Region (NCR) though on a limited capacity.
Additional 1,159 traditional public utility jeepneys were allowed to ply 28 routes in NCR starting September 14.
DOTr also imposed Monday the eased physical distancing among passengers in public transport vehicles.
The DOTr explained that with the current health protocols, such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields during a commute, the one-meter physical distancing measure could already be adjusted.