AROUND 100 new and old routes for public utility vehicles will be opened when classes begin on August 22, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairperson Cheloy Garafil said.

Garafil said that reopening the routes will encourage PUV drivers and operators to return to work and provide students and teachers with transportation options.

“Hopefully by reopening old routes and extending it further, it can cover more distance at makabalik sila sa pagpapasada. For the PUVs, we expect na 80 percent mababalik na sa kalsada,” she said.

Former routes that were closed due to the pandemic will be reinstated, while new lines will pass via the University Belt and other student-heavy neighborhoods, Garafil said.

To accommodate the increasing demand once in-person sessions begin, the LTFRB plans to expand the number of buses under the EDSA Busway.

Garafil said that the LTFRB wants to expand the number of buses from 400 to 550 to address the shortage especially during rush hour.