Public Utility Articulated Bus Service Regulation

The circular is issued pursuant to DOTC Dept. Order No. 98-1127, which provides additional public transport service types and modifies Dept. Order No. 97-1097 on standard classification for all public transport services.
The circular operates “in the meantime” under the moratorium on accepting new applications for public utility vehicle franchises imposed under Memorandum Circular No. 97-009.

“Public Utility Articulated Bus” is defined by specified characteristics for seating capacity, vehicle weight, and vehicle build.
The required seating capacity is 70 and above, excluding driver and conductor.
The required gross vehicle weight is 20,000 kgs. and above.
The required body make is an articulated coach with entry and exit doors, emergency exits, an optional separate baggage compartment, and tempered glass windows.
The service may operate on fixed routes that are regular, limited stops or express.
The bus ventilation system may be ordinary or air-conditioned.
The fare is based on distance or zonal as authorized by the LTFRB.

The circular applies “in the meantime and until further notice” because a moratorium is in effect on the acceptance of new applications for franchises to operate public utility vehicles.
During the moratorium period, the LTFRB accepts only petitions for conversion into Public Utility Articulated Bus of subsisting Certificates of Public Convenience for bus service.
Petitions for conversion must be accepted for consideration only after payment of the required filing fees.

Filing fees for conversion into Public Utility Articulated Bus are PHP 430.00 for the first five (5) units.
For each additional unit in excess of 5, the filing fee is PHP 35.00 per unit.
The conversion petition must include payment of these filing fees as a condition for consideration.

The validity of the converted CPC shall be the same as its original expiry date.

The circular takes effect fifteen days (15) after the filing of three (3) copies with the U.P. Law Center.
The filing with the U.P. Law Center is required pursuant to Presidential Memorandum Circular No. 11 dated October 9, 1992.
The effective period is counted from the filing of three (3) copies.

All issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the circular are modified accordingly and are superseded/revoked to the extent of inconsistency.