Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2015-027specifying the Implementing Guidelines of Department Order No. 2015-018 on the opening of Premium Point-to-Point bus service.
Under the MC, the Board is inviting interested bus operators to submit legal, technical and financial qualification documents to qualify to operate any of three franchise packages for Premium Point-to-Point bus service in six (6) routes identified with huge volume of passengers during peak hours.
Three franchise packages
Fairview – Makati CBD and Ortigas CBD – Makati CBD (Package 1);
Katipunan – Makati CBD and Eastwood – Makati CBD (Package 2); and
Alabang – Ortigas CBD and Alabang – Makati CBD (Package 3).
“We want to alleviate the plight of daily commuters who had difficulty travelling during peak hours from specific routes due to insufficient number of bus services that need to transport a huge volume of passengers,” LTFRB chairman Atty. Winston Ginez said.
Interested bus operators must submit their qualification documents by 2pm on January 15, 2016. A pre-qualification conference will be held on December 1, 2015 at 2pm at LTFRB’s main office in Quezon City.
In accordance with DO 2015-018, the Premium Point-to-Point bus service air-conditioned units must either be single or double deck (11-13 meters in length), with external color/branding to be specified by the Board, uses Euro IV or better emission standard or clean alternative fuel with equivalent or better emission (e,g electric or hybrid vehicles), low floor entry with space for one passenger with wheelchair, and maximum of four reclining seats per row.
Selected applicants to operate any of the packages must ensure that at least half of the allocated units per route be available within six months from the Notice of Selection and before being granted of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC). Failure to comply with the delivery schedule will disqualify the selected applicant and another round of public lottery will be conducted by the Board to select the next applicant from the previously qualified applicants.
The remaining half of the allocated units must be available within a year from the grant of the CPC otherwise it will result in the cancellation of the franchise.
Special Permits for Interim Point-to-Point bus services
While the Board is in the process of selecting the qualified applicant for the Premier Point to Point bus service, it will also invite interested bus operators to submit Letter of Intent for the issuance of Special Permits to offer Interim Point-to-Point bus services in six identified routes in Metro Manila.
The Interim Services will be providing point-to point bus services to the following routes with the suggested one- way fare and number of buses applicants should commit to provide:
| Route | One-way Fare | Number of Vehicles Required |
| Fairview – Makati CBD | P160.00 | 24-36 |
| Ortigas CBD- Makati CBD | P 60.00 | 11-16 |
| Katipunan – Makati CBD | P100.00 | 17-25 |
| Eastwood – Makati CBD | P 85.00 | 14-20 |
| Alabang – Makati CBD | P 110.00 | 16-23 |
| Alabang – Ortigas CBD | P140.00 | 21-31 |
The above interim point- to-point bus services will only be deployed by the selected bus operators during peak hours from 6:00am – 8:00am and 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
Applicants, who must be legitimate bus operators with valid franchise, have until2pm of December 15, 2015 to submit the Letter of Intent to the Board for evaluation and selection process.
The applicants must meet the number of minimum number of vehicle required for the route or routes applied for.
The air-conditioned units must be 11-13 meters in length, with Wi-fi internet connection, maximum of 4 seats per row, not more than 5 years old, and free of exterior dents, major blemishes or discoloration that could mar the external appearance of the vehicle.
Applicants are allowed to submit up to two (2) or more interim service routes application, however ,the Board reserves the right to deny any application if the selected applicant would result in insufficiency of PUVs along their authorized route.
The Letter of Intent must contain the following details:
- The specific route or routes the applicant plans to provide the interim service
- The list of vehicles (with valid plate numbers), not necessarily covered by an existing CPC, certified true copies of Certificate of Registration
- Official Receipts for the current year and passenger accident insurance of all vehicles for the applied route(s)
- Detailed map of the proposed route(s)
Upon confirmation, selected applicants must submit an application for the issuance of Special Permit with the Board before it can start providing the service by January 11, 2016.