DOTr orders conversion of PUBs in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to amend the franchises of public utility buses (PUBs) from municipalities of Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna.

Under the Department Order 2018-025, the LTFRB is directed to convert the franchises of PUBs into city operations.

“This means that the PUBs will no longer be required to terminate their routes at their designated Intermodal Terminal Exchange (ITX). City buses under the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines are also required to modernize into low floor-low entry buses,” the DOTr said.

“The LTFRB will also allow some PUBs in Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna to bypass their designated ITX to expedite travel time of passengers travelling to and from Metro Manila,” it added.

The LTFRB is likewise instructed to open new public transport routes to and from Metro Manila and other provinces.

Covered by the department order are PUBs bound for Metro Manila from the following areas and vice versa:  Bulacan (North) – Bocaue, Meycauayan, Marilao, Obando and San Jose Del Monte City; Cavite (Southwest) – Imus, Bacoor, Dasmariñas, General Trias, Silang, Kawit, Noveleta and Cavite City; and Laguna (South) – San Pedro, Biñan and Sta. Rosa City.