Gov’t approves two more premium bus routes

MANILA, Philippines – The government has allowed Froehlich Tours, the operator of premium point-to-point (P2P) bus services in the country, to add two more routes: North EDSA – Makati City and North EDSA – Ortigas.

In a resolution on Thursday, February 11, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) gave the bus company the go signal for the new routes.

Other than Froehlich, the land transport regulator earlier invited City Bus and Laguna Star Bus Transportation System to submit qualification documents. 

But after an evaluation, the LTFRB’s pre-qualification committee decided that only Froehlich passed the qualification process.

The LTFRB has directed Froehlich to respond within 48 hours upon receipt of the Notice of Selection whether it is intending to operate an interim service on the new P2P routes.

Froehlich was also told to submit its application for the issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience for the two additional routes.

“We are seeing encouraging results of P2P, hence the qualification of Froehlich Tours will help us provide the riding public additional and better transportation service,” LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said.

Ginez also reiterated that the LTFRB is encouraging private car owners to use the premium bus service to help reduce the number of cars on the road.

The P2P service currently operates along 3 routes in Metro Manila, ferrying passengers from Quezon City and Mandaluyong City to the Makati central business district without any stops. Whether the vehicles are fully occupied or not, buses depart on time based on a fixed schedule. – Rappler.com