133 pre-pandemic PUV routes to reopen on Aug. 22

MANILA: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the resumption of 133 pre-pandemic public utility vehicle routes in time for the first day of School Year 2022-2023 on Monday.

The LTFRB Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2022-067 allowed 33 city bus routes operating outside EDSA to resume their operations.

“The Board, in the exercise of its powers and functions under Executive Order No. 202, resolves as it is hereby resolved to approve the resumption of operation of pre-pandemic non-EDSA bus routes and the retention of other GCQ city bus routes that are found to be responsive to passenger demand,” it stated.

Meanwhile, MC No. 2022-068 approved the reopening of 68 public utility jeepney (PUJ) routes, 49 of which will have traditional PUJs while three will have modern PUJs.

32 UV Express routes will also be reopened, 30 of which will have traditional UV Express units while two will have modern ones.

The circular applies to PUJs and UV Express units that are operating in and entering the National Capital Region with valid Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs) or Provisional Authority.

It also covers those with expired CPCS but with an Application for Extension of Validity “timely filed” and those with pending Motion for Extension of Provisional Authority for consolidated entities with or “without OFG compliant units pursuant to MC 2022-033.”

According to LTFRB Chairperson Cheloy Garafil, those who were able to obtain a special permit for the resumption of their operations may now use these routes, days before the official start on Monday.

Garafil met with the Land Transportation Office and the Metro Manila Development Authority yesterday to discuss the reopening of the routes and to make sure that the enforcers are informed of the new regulations.

Photo by Kap Aguila and Avito Dalan/Philippine News Agency

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