The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is planning to open 50 percent of provincial bus routes.
The LTFRB said 80 to 90 percent of routes have been opened in terms of public transportation. However, a large number of provincial buses going to and coming from the National Capital Region (NCR) are still unable to travel.
“Ang nangyayari po ngayon, in so far as opening routes are concerned, first of all, kung pwede mabuksan ang ruta noon as it is (What is currently happening, in so far as opening routes is concerned, first of all, is if we could open the previous route as it is),” LTFRB Chairperson Martin Delgra said.
“When I talk [about] opening routes, kasama na po yung mga (it includes) bus stop along the way unless it is P2P, meaning end point to other end point,” Delgra added.
The LTFRB will be coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to identify possible stopover sites for long provincial trips.
Operators are required to provide proof that the LGUs have agreed to open their borders for travel before the plan pushes through. This coordination will also make way for the processing of travel requirements concerning health protocols.
The routes that will be included in the plan are currently being evaluated. – Report from Karen Villanda
