LTFRB pays ₧445.46M to SCP drivers and operators

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Monday it has “met” its obligation for the Edsa Busway, stressing it has disbursed P445.46 million to operators.

Cheloy E. Velicaria-garafil, who chairs the regulatory body, said the amount covers Week 6 to Week 13 of the Service Contracting Program (SCP) Phase 3. It is now processing payments for Weeks 14 and 15.

Garafil said the agency is “now in close coordination with the public utility bus consortia operating the Edsa Busway to begin processing of payments for Week 16, which ended last week.”

“LTFRB will continue to address issues and concerns with regard to the current public land transportation system in line with the mandates of the new administration to improve the lives of our operators and drivers and the commuting public,” said Garafil.

The SCP was first introduced through Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. It was then extended through general appropriations as a means to cushion the effect of the pandemic on both commuters and drivers.

Under the program, transport service providers and workers will pay operators and drivers based on the maximum number of trips made per week, with or without passengers, and in compliance with agreedupon performance indicators. Public utility vehicle (PUV) operators will also receive a one-time incentive of P5,000 per unit to cover “pre-operating costs,” while operational incentives will be given on a weekly basis.

SCP has a sub-component called Libreng Sakay or Free Ride Program, which allows commuters to ride the Edsa Busway without paying their fares.

The government shells out somewhere between P74 million to P79 million per week for the program. It was, however, criticized by mobility and transport experts as a band-aid solution that does not address the transport crisis.