Title
Standard Classification of Public Transport Vehicles
Law
Dotc Department Order No. 97-1097
Decision Date
Sep 29, 1997
Arturo T. Enrile's Department Order No. 97-1097 establishes a standardized classification system for all public transport conveyances, detailing specifications for various vehicle types to enhance public service and streamline the issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience.

Law Summary

Public Utility Buses

  • Seating Capacity: 50 or more (excluding driver/conductor).
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 6,400 kgs and above or 70 kgs per passenger.
  • Body: Coach type with entry/exit doors, emergency exits, optional baggage compartment, tempered glass windows.
  • Routes: Fixed route including regular, limited-stop, or express.
  • Ventilation: Ordinary or air-conditioned.
  • Fare: Distance or zonal basis as authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Public Utility Mini-Buses

  • Seating Capacity: 30 to 49 excluding driver/conductor.
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 4,000 to 6,399 kgs or 70 kgs per passenger.
  • Body: Mini-coach with entry/exit doors, emergency exits, optional baggage compartment.
  • Routes: Fixed routes (regular, limited-stop, express).
  • Ventilation: Ordinary or air-conditioned.
  • Fare: Distance or zonal basis as authorized by LTFRB.

Public Utility Jeepneys

  • Seating Capacity: 12 to 32 excluding driver.
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2,500 kgs and above or 70 kgs per passenger.
  • Body: Jitney type/Asian Utility Vehicle.
  • Routes: Fixed (regular, limited-stop, express) or variable within specified areas.
  • Ventilation: Ordinary or air-conditioned.
  • Fare: Distance or zonal basis authorized by LTFRB.
  • Operating Conditions:
    • May carry passengers, freight, or both for provincial operations.
    • Use discouraged on major city arterials.
    • Distance ceilings: Urban routes 15 km; Inter-urban/provincial 30 km (unless authorized).

Filcab

  • Seating Capacity: 7 to 11 excluding driver.
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: Max 2,500 kgs or 70 kgs per passenger.
  • Body: Mini-jitney/Asian Utility Vehicle.
  • Routes: Fixed or variable within specified areas.
  • Ventilation: Ordinary or air-conditioned.
  • Fare: Distance or zonal basis authorized by LTFRB.
  • Operating Conditions:
    • May carry passengers or freight.
    • Should avoid competition with higher capacity PUVs on most of the route.
    • 15 km distance ceiling unless otherwise authorized.

Taxi

  • Vehicle: Four or five-door automobiles.
  • Seating Capacity: 4 excluding driver.
  • Route: No fixed route but within specified area.
  • Ventilation: Ordinary or air-conditioned.
  • Fare: Minimum rate plus per unit distance/time fees.
  • Operation: Max of four passengers.
  • Standard Color: White.

Vehicles for Hire

  • Vehicle Types: Sedan, Asian Utility Vehicle, Pick-up, Van, Station Wagon, or Coach.
  • Route: No fixed route.
  • Fare: Per engagement plus fee per unit time approved by LTFRB.

Shuttle Service

  • Vehicle Types: Sedan, Asian Utility Vehicle, Pick-up, Van, Station Wagon, Mini-coach, or Coach.
  • Route: No fixed route.
  • Ventilation: Ordinary or air-conditioned.
  • Fare: Distance or zonal basis as approved.
  • Franchise Basis: Valid contract between establishment/residents association and carrier.
  • Operating Condition: For employees or association members only; no picking of passengers en route.

Tourist Transport Services

  • Vehicle Types: Sedan, Asian Utility Vehicle, Pick-up, Mini-coach, Coach.
  • Routes: Special tours without fixed routes to/from tourist areas.
  • Ventilation: Ordinary or air-conditioned.
  • Fare: Rates approved by LTFRB.
  • Operating Conditions:
    • Accreditation by Philippine Tourism Authority or Department of Tourism required.
    • No passenger pick-up along the way.

School Transport Services

  • Vehicle Types: Sedan, AUV, Van, Jitney-type, Station Wagon, Mini-Coach, or Coach.
  • Vehicle features: Entry/exit doors, steel grilled windows, black and yellow stripes at rear.
  • Routes: Without fixed route, to/from school premises.
  • Ventilation: Ordinary or air-conditioned.
  • Fare: Authorized by LTFRB.
  • Franchise Basis: Valid contract between school and transport provider.

Uniform Seating and Implementation

  • All public vehicles must have uniform seating measurements in compliance with R.A. No. 4136 and related regulations.

Repeal and Transition Provisions

  • Prior inconsistent rules repealed or modified.
  • Existing franchises can operate until current CPC validity expires.
  • New franchise applications must conform to these classifications.

Effectivity of Order

  • Order effective fifteen (15) days after publication in Official Gazette/newspaper or filing with U.P. Law Center as per Presidential Memorandum Circular No. 11.
  • Date of issuance: September 29, 1997.

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