Guidelines for traditional jeepneys out this week; EDSA Busway opens

GUIDELINES for the resumption of operations of traditional jeepneys are now being finalized and targeted for release before the end of this week, the transport regulator said on Wednesday. “The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is still finalizing the memorandum circular for traditional jeepneys,” the agency said in a statement. The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has said traditional jeepneys may be allowed to operate again this week “when there is a lack in supply of buses, modern public utility vehicles and UV express, and provided that they comply with road worthiness standards, as well as health, safety, sanitation, and security protocols.” Meanwhile, the interim operations of the EDSA Busway, spanning from Monumento to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, started on Wednesday. The busway system involves the use of designated bus stops located at the inner lane of EDSA, complementing the existing Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3). DoTr said 550 bus units were authorized to service the busway. “Bus operators committed to initially deploy 150 bus units starting today. This is in addition to the buses deployed under the existing MRT-3 Bus Augmentation Program. No fare increase shall be implemented,” it said in a statement. —