Provincial buses resume operations in Zambo Peninsula

PROVINCIAL BUSES have resumed its trips, but only on point-to-point routes within the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The routes of point-to-point buses are Zamboanga City, Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province, and Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte province, including the town of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Passengers must have complete entry requirements of their destination to be able to purchase tickets, at least two days before the scheduled trip. Those without the necessary requirements will not be able to purchase tickets. 

Walk-in passengers are not allowed to purchase ticket on the same day of travel unless for emergency purposes. 

Under the guidelines of the point-to-point service program, buses cannot drop-off or pick up passengers in barangays or municipalities in between inter-provincial routes. A manifesto system will be adapted to ensure passengers boarding on point of origin are the same passengers arriving in point of destination. 

Passengers bound for Zamboanga City must present medical clearance certificate, travel authority, coordination pass, proof of residency, and RT-PCR test negative within 5 days from the day of swab. 

All passengers are also mandated to follow health protocols, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. 

Last month, Zamboanga Supervising Transportation Regulation Officer Rafael Derick Garcellano Evangelista III met with Rural Transit Mindanao officials headed by Pagadian Branch Manager German Avenido and discussed the preparation for the resumption of travel between provinces, and other matters, including health protocols among passengers.

The meeting centered on the preparatory activities, coordination, and health protocols. 

Also in the meeting were other Rural Transit Mindanao officials Roland Aballe, Tata Abasolo, and Efren dela Cruz, and Ronie delos Reyes and Richard Lim who were with Evangelista. 

Rural Transit Mindanao said: “We make sure you're safe on your trip following the New Normal. So we are asking all passengers to follow the safety protocols that we have implemented so that we can avoid Covid-19.”

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has allowed provincial buses in point-to-point routes to resume operations following the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 88.

The LTFRB also reminded passengers, drivers, ticket conductors, and operators to always wear face mask and face shield, refrain from talking, eating in public transport, maintain proper ventilation of the vehicle, regular disinfection, bar anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, and to always follow the “one-seat-apart” physical distancing rule. (Zamboanga Post)

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