The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the fare rate increase of Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) and Public Utility Vans (PUVs) in this southern port city.

LTFRB-9 Director Zerita Climaco said Monday PUJ fare has increased from PHP8 to PHP9 for the first four kilometers, and additional 40 centavos for every succeeding kilometer. The fare for PUVs has increased by PHP2 for every kilometer.

Climaco said the agency approved the fare rate hike request as the PUJs and PUVs are not allowed to carry the maximum load since the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) is still in place amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.

Climaco said the agency also approved 69 of the 179 PUJ operators who applied for special permits.

The requirements for the issuance of the special permit are the following: the vehicle must be registered with Land Transportation Office (LTO); the jeep should be insured; must have a valid franchise; should pass the roadworthiness inspection of LTO; must be included as the authorized owner of a juridical entity such as cooperative or corporation.

Climaco said the other requirement is in line with the health safety protocols such as wearing of face mask and gloves by the drivers and conductors; the vehicle must have a partition among passengers to maintain physical distancing and contact tracing measures.

Meanwhile, Climaco bared that the change in the routes of the PUJs is based on the guidelines set by the local Inter-Agency Task Force on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The parking terminals of the PUJs have been retained, although they are not allowed to park and wait to fill up the vehicle with passengers.

“They will only use the terminal to pick up as well unload passengers,” Climaco added. (PNA)