This Department, on 19 August 2002 and 29 September 1997, issued Department Order 2002-30 " An Order Modifying Certain Provisions of Department Order No. 96-963" and Department Order No. 97-1097 "Providing Standard Classification for Public Transport Conveyances", respectively.  However, based on the results of the series of consultations with various School Administrators/Principals, PTA Presidents and school transport operators in Metro Manila, this Department hereby RESOLVES to amend and modify the said Department Orders.

For Department Order No. 96-963, the following paragraph is hereby added, to wit:

"For School Transport Services

The minimum age requirement for the operations of School Transport Service motor vehicles is hereby extended from ten (10) years to fifteen (15) years reckoned from the date of manufacture."

For Department Order No. 97-1097, Paragraph No. 9 thereof is amended to read:

"The standard classification of motor vehicles allowed for school transport services shall be:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Vehicle Type:

1. Van - (Mitsubishi, L300, Nissan Urvan, Toyota Hi-Ace, Hyundai, Starex, Khia Besta, Hyundai Grace, Khia Pregio, MB 100 or its equivalent) with 10 passengers

       

2. Jitney - (Jeepney, Mitsubishi L300/L200 FB Body, Isuzu IPV or its equivalent) with 12 to 20 passengers

       

3. Mini Bus - with 30-49 passengers

     

4. Bus - with more than 50 passengers

      Specifications:

1. Entry and exit doors either at the rear or right side of the vehicle only. No entry and exit doors at the left side of the vehicle

       

2. For vans, jump seats must be removed to allow easy ac- cess to entry/exit doors from the last row of seats and arm rest on the right side of the first and second rows

       

3. Steel grilled windows (1 inch mesh size) in all sides

        4. Seatbelts for all passengers        

5. Workable portable fire extinguisher

        6. Markings    

6.1 Dark yellow rectangle on both sides (3 m x 1 m) and inscribed in single line black color SCHOOL SERVICE (40 cm) and NAME OF SCHOOL/S (25 cm)

          6.2 At the rear, dark yellow square (1 m) and in scribed in two lines SCHOOL SERVICE - CAUTION: CHILDREN CROSSING          

6.3 Alternate chevron markings - diagonal black and yellow at the front and rear of vehicle visible from 50 m distance

      Route : Without fixed route to/from school premises Ventilation :

Ordinary or Air-conditioned

Fare : As authorized by LTFRB

Basis for granting Franchises

 

Compliance with all the requirements prescribed un- der LTFRB guidelines."

WHEREFORE, in the interest of the students, for road safety, and for purposes of uniformity as to the duration of validity of the Certificate of Public Convenience, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is hereby directed to formulate new guidelines governing School Transport Services and/or Rationalization Program.

All previous issuances/orders/memoranda that are inconsistent herewith are hereby superceded, revoked and/or nullified.

This amendment shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation and filing with the University of the Philippines Law Center.

SO ORDERED.

Adopted: 23 April 2004


(SGD.) LEANDRO R. MENDOZA
Secretary