Total of 20 new PUV routes to and from PITX to be opened

In a bid to improve the flow of traffic to and from the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be opening a total of 20 new routes for public utility vehicles.

As stated in Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2019-005, Public Utility buses will have 10 new routes. Likewise, UV Expresses will have 2, and Class 2 public utility jeepneys will have 8. The release of the MC follows, and is based on, directives of the DOTr to the LTFRB last year to open new routes for PITX.

The new routes are as follows:

I. PUB (10)

- PITX - Ternate

- PITX - Alfonso/Mendez

- PITX - Palapala, Dasmarinas

- PITX - Silang, Cavite

- PITX - Tagaytay City

- PITX - Cavite City

- PITX - Indang

- PITX - Indang

- PITX - Manggahan, General Trias

- PITX - Lancaster New City

- PITX - Nasugbu via Ternate

II. UV Express Van / Class 3 PUJ (2)

- PITX - Alabang

- PITX - Tanza

III. Class 2 PUJ (8)

- PITX - Bayan Luma, Imus

- PITX - Alabang

- PITX - Tanza

- PITX - Bicutan via East Service Road

- PITX - Bicutan via West Service Road

- PITX - Sucat via Sucat Avenue

- PITX - Blumentritt

- PITX - Bacoor

There is a catch to the particular Memorandum, though. That is that the PUVs that are eligible to be granted franchises for the above-mentioned routes are only those who are compliant towards the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).

For buses, criteria such as Euro 4-compliance, at least 2 doors, air-conditioning, CCTVs, dashcams, and salary-and-not-commission-based drivers must be met. For UV Express, only units that follow the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) will be granted franchises. Finally, Class 2 or 3 public utility jeepneys will likewise have to follow guidelines set forth by both the OFG and the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Philippine Standards to be granted franchises.

The MC also states that only one applicant will be granted a franchise to a specific route. The chosen applicant must then be able to produce a minimum of 25% of the required units for the entire route within 3 months after the release of the Notice of Selection, 50% in 6 months, and the total number required 9 months thereafter.

Recognizing the inability of applicants to meet the criteria above, MC 2019-005 also includes provisions for an Interim Service. The Service states that the chosen applicant must have 2/3 of the required number of units 15 days from the Notice of Selection. An added criteria for PUBs is that units must not be older than 5 years old, and for UVs that units must not be older than 3 years old.

MC 2019-005 is brought about by a thorough study of the government's transportation agencies in order to address the need of commuters who use PITX. This is also in accordance with the Administration's drive towards the PUVMP; to be able to provide safe, dependable, and convenient means of transportation that care for mother nature as well as the commuters.