Public utility jeepneys might be allowed back on the road soon. In a congressional hearing on June 16, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that a circular identifying routes that jeepneys can service will be released soon.

According to LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra, authorities have identified around a hundred jeepney routes that will be opened once general community quarantine is lifted in Metro Manila or by the end of the month after the Ayala-Alabang, Ayala-Biñan, PITX-Trece Martires, PITX-Sucat, PITX-Naic and PITX-Cavite City bus routes begin operations.

“We’re looking at on or before the end of the month, because ’yung routes na-identify na, ’yung numero na-identify na,” Delgra said. The chairman also noted that 5,000 jeepneys will be operational (including some traditional jeepneys), and will be allowed to operate in areas where bus and rail services are unavailable.

[READ: Repurposing the king of the road: Palace eyes jeepneys for delivery services amid GCQ]

To ensure safety and social distancing measures, jeepneys will only be able to transport half of their usual capacity. As a way to minimize costs, jeepney drivers will be given a fuel subsidy of 36 liters per day and loans will be restructured for jeepney operators. Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo also noted that the LTFRB should look into providing a disinfection subsidy for drivers.

Prior to this, the Department of Transportation announced plans to repurpose jeepneys that have been barred from operating to be used for delivery services instead. The government might also speed up the process of jeepney modernization to ensure that jeepney drivers can continue operations.

Header photo by Yannes Kiefer on Unsplash

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