Twelve provincial bus routes between Metro Manila and Central and Southern Luzon will start operations from Sept. 30 with strict rules for passengers and operators, transport authorities said.
Passengers are required to secure a travel authority from the police and bring their IDs. They will also be required to book at least 48 hours in advance. Walk-in passengers are prohibited, according to a memorandum from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
There will be no fare increase, the LTFRB said. Bus companies are required to implement safety protocols such as face masks, face shields and physical distancing and install GPS in their vehicles.
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There is only one route to Region 3 (Central Luzon), San Fernando, Pampanga to Araneta Center in Cubao. Some commuter buses with daily trips to the capital are required to drop off passengers at a depot in Valenzuela City. Buses headed to Region 4-A (Southern Luzon), will operate from the PITx.
Here are the 12 routes opening on Sept. 30, according to the Department of Transportation.
1. San Fernando, Pampanga - Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
2. Batangas City, Batangas - Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx)
3. Lemery, Batangas - PITx
4. Lipa City, Batangas - PITx
5. Nasugbu, Batangas - PITx
6. Indang, Cavite - PITx
7. Mendez, Cavite - PITx
8. Tagaytay City, Cavite - PITx
9. Ternate, Cavite - PITx
10. Calamba City, Laguna - PITx
11. Siniloan, Laguna - PITx
12. Sta. Cruz, Laguna - PITx