Public Transport Modes

in Philippine Cities

Karl B. N. Vergel
Institute of Civil Engineering &
National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS)
University of the Philippines Diliman
Road-Based Public Transport Modes
in Philippine Cities
• Bus
• Jeepney
• Filcab (small engine jeepney)
• UV Express (utility vehicle/van)
• Taxi (passenger car)
• Tricycle (three-wheeler)
 Bus
Classification Seating Gross Body Make Routes Ventilation
Capacity Vehicle
Weight
(kg)
Public Utility 50 6,400 and Bus with entry and exit Fixed route, Ordinary or
Bus above doors, emergency exits, regular, Air-
and/or optional separate limited-stop conditioned
baggage compartment and
70 kg/pax or express
tempered glass windows

Photo Source: DOTC (2009) MVTA Scoping Seminar

Source: Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippines

 Mini-Bus
Classification Seating Gross Body Make Routes Ventilation Operating
Capacity Vehicle Conditions
(except Weight
driver and (kg)
conductor)
Public Utility Mini- 30-49 6,400 and Bus with entry and Fixed route, Ordinary or
Bus above exit doors, regular, Air-
and/or emergency exits, limited-stop or conditioned
70 kg/pax optional separate express
baggage
compartment and
tampered glass
windows

Source: Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippines

Jeepney
Classification Seating Capacity Gross Vehicle Body Ventilation Operating Conditions
(except driver Weight Make
and conductor) (kg)
Public 12-32 2,500-4,500 Jitney Ordinary a.) May be allowed to carry
Utility and/or type passenger or freight or both for
Jeepneys 70 kg/pax provincial operations
b.) Operation is discouraged along
major arterials in urban areas
c.) Ceiling distance, unless
authorized otherwise: 35 kms.

Source: Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippines

Jeepney
(Low-Speed Vehicle e.g. electric jeepney)
• Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) – 4-
wheeled motor vehicles (other
than ATVs, trucks, buses, and
those that are excluded from the
term “motor vehicle” under
Republic Act 4136), which use
alternative fuels like electricity
and whose maximum speed
capability is not more than 40
kilometers per hour Photo Source: Department of Energy (2012) Alternative Fuels
Vehicle Tests & Research Program and Energy Efficiency in
Road Transport

Source: Land Transportation Office (2012) Existing Guidelines in the Registration of Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV),
Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) and Three-Wheeled Vehicles, DOTC (Dept. of Transportation and Communications,
Philippines) Administrative Order No. AHS-2008-014, Registration of Low Speed Vehicles (LSV)
 Jeepney
(Low-Speed Vehicle e.g. electric jeepney)
• The operation of LSV shall be
restricted to a maximum speed of 40
kilometers per hour. They can be
operated within the central business
district or along municipal, city, or
barangay roads only

• LSV shall be issued a pair orange-

colored plates and stickers for private
LSV. In case the LTFRB grants
franchise to LSV, yellow plates and Photo Source: Land Transportation Office
(2012) Existing Guidelines in the
orange-colored stickers shall be Registration of Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV),
Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) and Three-
issued. Wheeled Vehicles

Source: Land Transportation Office (2012) Existing Guidelines in the Registration of Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV),
Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) and Three-Wheeled Vehicles, DOTC (Dept. of Transportation and Communications,
Philippines) Administrative Order No. AHS-2008-014, Registration of Low Speed Vehicles (LSV)
 Filcab
Classification Seating Gross Vehicle Body Make Routes Ventilation Operating Conditions
Capacity Weight
(except (kg)
driver and
conductor)
Filcab Regular 7-11 Below 2,270 Mini-Jitney/ Fixed route a.) May be allowed to carry
and/or Multicab passenger or freight or both
b.) Should not compete with
70 kg/pax
higher–occupancy public
utility vehicles
on majority of the route
c.) 15-km. ceiling distance
unless authorized otherwise

Source: Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippines

 UV Express
Classification Seating Gross Body Make Routes Ventilation Operating
Capacity Vehicle Conditions
(except Weight
driver and (kg)
conductor)
UV Express Vehicle Type: Fixed route, Air-
Service (VFH, Asian Utility Vehicle Terminal to conditioned
GT, FC) (AUV), Van, Coach terminal

Source: Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippines

 Taxi
Classification Seating Gross Body Make Routes Ventilation Operating
Capacity Vehicle Conditions
(except Weight
driver and (kg)
conductor)

Taxi 4 Vehicle Type: From one origin Air- No more than

Four or five door point to any conditioned four passengers
may be carried
automobiles point in the
Standard color:
island white

Source: Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippines

Tricycle (Three-Wheeled Vehicle or TWV)
• the operation of TWV, like motorcycle with sidecar or locally known as “tricycles”
shall be limited within or along barangay roads only. It can only pass the main
thoroughfares, highways or national road for purposes of crossing only when the
barangay road is divided by a highway, main thoroughfares, or the national road

• while the 4-wheeled public transport modes are regulated by the national
government, three-wheeled vehicles used for public transport are regulated by
the local governments

TWV TYPE 3 - three-wheeled vehicle,

relatively similar to the size of a conventional
motorcycle with sidecar, mounted with a small
cabin for driver in the front and seating for
three in relative comfort in the rear

Source: Land Transportation Office (2012) Existing Guidelines in the Registration of Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV),
Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) and Three-Wheeled Vehicles
 Tricycle (Three-Wheeled Vehicle)
TWV TYPE 2 - three-wheeled with an enclosed cabin with seats
for the carriage of more than 3 passengers to a maximum six (6)
passengers (excluding the driver) depending on the number of
seats provision

Source: Land Transportation Office (2012) Existing Guidelines in the Registration of Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV),
Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) and Three-Wheeled Vehicles