Legal basis and administrative control
- The circular is issued in accordance with Item No. 8 of DOTC Dept. Order No. 97-1097, which provides standard classification for all public land-based transport conveyances.
- The LTFRB issues these guidelines to allow applications for franchises to operate “Tourist Transport Services” using specified vehicle types.
- The circular directs that inconsistent issuances are modified, superseded, and/or revoked.
Purpose for franchise applications
- Tourist Transport Services franchises may propose specified vehicle types for special tour trips.
- The circular establishes the classification standards for tourist transport franchise applications tied to vehicle types and trip conditions.
- The circular requires that applications be accompanied by an accreditation by the Philippine Tourism Authority.
Eligible vehicle types and trip conditions
- Franchise applications for “Tourist Transport Services” may propose the following vehicle types:
- Sedan
- Asian Utility Vehicles
- Van
- Pick-up
- Station Wagon
- Mini-Coach or Coach
- The permitted use of these vehicle types is for special tour trips.
- Special tour trips must have no fixed routes and must operate to/from any tourist area.
- Tourist transport services must provide no picking-up of passengers along the way.
- Vehicle ventilation may be either ordinary or airconditioned.
Fare rates and approval
- Fare rates for Tourist Transport Services are subject to approval by the LTFRB.
- The circular ties the operator’s fare practice to fare rates as may be approved by this Board.
Accreditation requirement for applications
- Applications for “Tourist Transport Services” must be accompanied by an accreditation by the Philippine Tourism Authority.
Handling existing CPCs and conversion option
- Operators with subsisting Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs) may continue operating units using any or all of the specified vehicle types, even if originally denominated differently (e.g., “Tourist Bus, Tourist Car”, etc.).
- Continued operation is allowed until the expiry date/s of the CPCs.
- After expiry, no application or petition for extension of validity of the expiring or expired CPC shall be accepted.
- Operators may opt to file applications for conversion of their units into “TRANSPORT TOURIST SERVICES” anytime during the subsistence of their respective CPCs.
Modification of prior issuances
- The circular modifies, supersedes, and/or revokes all issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with these guidelines.