LTFRB approves standing passengers inside public utility vehicles

MANILA: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) now allows standing passengers inside some Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) traveling in areas under Alert Level 1.

Based on Memorandum Circular No. 2022-070, only Public Utility Buses (PUBs) and Modern Public Utility Jeepneys (MPUJ) Class 2 will be allowed to have standing passengers in accordance with such conditions.

For Low-Entry/Low Floor PUBs, a maximum of 15 standing passengers will be allowed while they maintain a one-person distance from each other.

Inside Coach-type PUBs, a maximum of ten standing passengers will be allowed while they maintain a one-person distance from each other.

Lastly, for MPUJ Class 2 vehicles, the maximum number of standing passengers allowed is five, and in one-person distance again.

This policy is in accordance with the order of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to make the most of the spaces in the following public vehicles without violating public health safety protocols.

Despite that, the implementation of minimum public health safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is still strict.

The LTFRB reminds PUV drivers and operators to always follow the agency's policies and guidelines. Anyone caught violating these will be subject to appropriate punishment in accordance with the conditions of their Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) and Joint Administrative Order 2014-01.

Photos from Department of Transportation

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