THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 has yet to implement the reduced physical distancing in public transportation as it awaits the release of implementing guidelines.

The implementation was supposed to start on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, but it was delayed pending clarifications on certain matters.

LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. told SunStar Cebu their central office is expected to disseminate final guidelines through a memorandum circular or a board resolution.

“There were slight adjustments but we expected the guidelines to come out today (Monday),” he said.

The physical distance between passengers inside public transport units will be reduced to 0.75 or 3/4 meter from the current one meter to increase the number of passengers allowed.

This will be reduced further to 0.5 or 1/2 meter after two weeks and to 0.3 or 1/3 meter after another two weeks.

Commuters are still required to wear face masks and face shields inside public transport units. They are also prohibited from talking or making phone calls while on board.

Montealto said the rules will also set the allowed number of standing passengers.

The transportation department on Friday, Sept. 11, stated that class 2 modern public utility vehicles and public utility buses can already accommodate standing passengers.

Only buses and modern jeepneys have been allowed to ply the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, while traditional jeepneys are already operating in the rest of Central Visayas.

Montealto said operators of most traditional jeepneys have installed barriers so they can carry more passengers. (JOB)