By Brian Campued
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) warned public utility vehicles (PUVs) against overloading of passengers “in a manner like canned sardines,” instructing operators to adhere to passenger capacity limits.
LTFRB Chairperson, Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III, stressed that the “anti-sardinas” policy is pursuant to the directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Vince Dizon as well as in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s initiative to ensure safe and convenient public transportation for Filipinos.
In a statement Monday, Guadiz reminded all PUV operators “to strictly adhere to and comply with the allowable passenger capacity of their PUVs pursuant to the existing policies of the Board and DOTr” as violators will face fines and penalties, such as the suspension or cancellation of their certificate of public convenience.
According to LTFRB, both traditional and modern jeepneys are allowed at least 12 to 32 passengers but not exceeding the manufacturer’s maximum capacity—with the latter also permitted to allow five standing passengers “per square meter of available standing space.”
UV Express vans are allowed to carry nine to 12 passengers including the driver according to the vehicle’s model and manufacturer’s specifications.
Public utility buses (PUBs), meanwhile, are allowed over 50 passengers provided that the number of passengers must not exceed the allowable maximum capacity of the unit. Standing passengers are also permitted, but limited to five persons per square meter of available standing space.
“Standing passengers on long haul trips are strictly not allowed” on PUBs, the LTFRB noted.
