LTFRB seeks MMDA to exempt PUVs in No Contact Apprehension 

The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as well as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) requested the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to exempt public utility vehicles (PUV) from the No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP).  

The return of face-to-face classes means more commuters

This appeal, which was sent via a letter to the MMDA a few days ago, comes hot on the heels of the DOTr’s earlier decision to reopen a number of PUVs routes in preparation for the start of the School Year 2022-2023.  

Of note, these over 100 routes were previously operational pre-pandemic. It was deemed crucial to re-open these since the new school marks the return of face-to-face classes. It is of course expected that passenger volume will surge because of this so there’s a need to meet demand. 

Then again, the PUVs that returned to service the said routes are yet to be issued certificates of public convenience (CPC) pending the said agency’s official decision. So as an initial solution, the LTFRB has instead issued special permits.  

To this end, the MMDA says that the lack of CPCs will exempt PUVs from apprehensions. The MMDA added that PUVs would also be excepted from the Number Coding Scheme. The MMDA is now implementing an expanded number coding from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The MMDA however, reminded everyone that this still does not exempt PUVs from prevailing road rules, regulations, and laws. Erring driving will still be ticketed, and violations of the CPC will still be redirected to the LTFRB.  

The MMDA is facing a very busy fourth quarter

Going back to the said re-opened routes, these altogether number 133. These consist mostly of jeepney routes, some UV express routes, as well as bus routes. On top of that, school service vehicles or school buses were also allowed to resume their services by the LTFRB earlier this month.  

The LTFRB didn’t give an exact number on how many individual PUVs these routes consist of. But with traffic volume expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels, the MMDA and its enforcers, in particular, will have their hands full. 

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