LTFRB: Standing now allowed in buses, modern jeeps in Alert Level 1 areas

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has allowed standing passengers inside some public utility vehicles in areas placed under Alert Level 1 status.

Based on Memorandum Circular No. 2022-070, public utility bus (PUBs) and modern public utility jeepney (MPUJs) Class 2 will be allowed to have standing passengers subject to the following conditions:

a.       For Low Entry/Low Floor PUBs, only a maximum of 15 standing passengers are allowed, with at least one person apart;

b.       For Coach-type PUBs, only a maximum 10 standing passengers are allowed, with at least one person apart and;

c.       For MPUJs-Class 2, only a maximum of 5 standing passengers are allowed, with at least one person apart.

LTFRB said the move was in accordance with the order of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to issue a policy to make use of PUVs without violating any public health safety protocols. —NB, GMA News

“Imposed existing policies on minimum public health protocols inside PUVs shall be strictly observed at all times,” the agency said.

“Failure to comply with this MC shall be considered as a violation of the terms and conditions of their CPC, and appropriate penalties shall be imposed against the operator under the provisions of Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01,” it added.

At the height of the pandemic, the government prohibited standing passengers inside PUVs as they were only allowed to use their full seating capacity.