Inter-provincial PUVs ordered to use S-PASS

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered all inter-regional and inter-provincial public utility vehicles (PUVs) to use the safe, swift and smart passage or S-PASS travel management system.

The S-PASS communication platform was developed by the Department of Science and Technology to ensure the health and safety of passengers traveling between provincial and regional borders and to prevent the spread of COVID.

Under an LTFRB memorandum circular, passengers should register with the S-PASS system before purchasing their tickets.

Proof of registration should be required from the passengers before they would be allowed to board the bus.

Another requirement is a travel coordination permit or a travel pass-through permit issued by the local government of the place of destination.

Violation of the circular will be deemed a breach of a resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the LTFRB said.

The circular was signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra on May 11.

The agency said over 250 bus routes covering more than 5,000 units in and out of Metro Manila have been reopened amid the pandemic.

A 50-percent passenger capacity will still be implemented along with other minimum health protocols such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields.