Since March 2020. the COVID-19 outbreak, provincial buses can finally enter Metro Manila. 12 modified provincial bus routes covering 286 units going to Metro Manila from nearby provinces will be opened to serve passengers, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced.
The LTFR released issued Memorandum Circular 2020-051 under which the following routes may begin operating on September 30:
- San Fernando, Pampanga – Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City;
- Batangas City, Batangas – Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx);
- Lemery, Batangas – PITx;
- Lipa City, Batangas – PITx;
- Nasugbu, Batangas – PITx;
- Indang, Cavite – PITx;
- Mendez, Cavite – PITx;
- Tagaytay City, Cavite – PITx;
- Ternate, Cavite – PITx;
- Calamba City, Laguna – PITx;
- Siniloan, Laguna – PITx;
- Sta. Cruz, Laguna – PITx.
All buses need to board and unload passengers only at designated terminals, such as the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx) and the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
Passengers are required to carry their necessary requirements or documents before they’ll be allowed to board the public bus, these include travel authority from the police, valid identification card, and other documents to be required by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the LGU concerned.
All passengers, as well as the driver and conductor, would need to follow strict health protocols, such as wearing face mask and shied and one-meter physical distancing.
The new protocols also indicate that passengers would need to secure their tickets two days before the trip, unless for an emergency.
All PUBs should also undergo strict sanitation services before and after each trip and this will be under regular monitoring by the LTFRB. Fares would be retained at pre-pandemic levels.
Additional Report: Romina Cabrera Philstar
Image Source: MB, PHBUS, Interaksyon
