SOME 289 public utility vehicles (PUVs) received special permits to operate from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Central Visayas (LTFRB 7) on Friday, May 22, 2020.

Of the number, 281 are buses, while eight are modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs). These PUVs are operating in areas under a state of general community quarantine (GCQ).

Some 155 buses ferry passengers in Cebu Province, while 13 buses and eight modern PUJs operate in Lapu-Lapu City.

The provinces of Negros Oriental and Bohol, on the other hand, have 59 and 67 buses, respectively.

LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said operations at Cebu’s temporary bus terminals have been smooth since it opened on Wednesday, May 20.

An area at the Sta. Lucia Square in Barangay Oriental in Consolacion has been temporarily assigned as the bus terminal for the north, while Cebuano businessman Bunny Pages offered space at his Lantaw Native Restaurant along the Cebu South Coastal Road in Talisay City as a temporary terminal for the south.

Non-airconditioned buses and mini buses will ferry passengers at a reduced capacity of 50 percent to observe strict social distancing measures.

“You may have noticed a very low ridership because of the limited routes since the cities of Mandaue and Cebu are still on enhanced community quarantine,” Montealto told Sunstar Cebu.

Montealto said 7,000 passengers have been ferried to and from Cebu Province and Lapu-Lapu since the GCQ started. This, though, excludes the number of passengers who were shuttled to work by their employees.

Although there has been no apprehensions yet, Montealto reminded PUV operators to strictly abide by health guidelines and that only those with special permits can operate.

Violators will pay a fine of P5,000 for the first offense. Habitual offenders will pay a fine of up to P15,000 and will have their franchises revoked. (JCT)