SafeTravelPH Organizes PTMP Planning Workshop

Last April 29, 2025 we concluded a full-day workshop on "Strengthening Local Public Transport Route Planning (LPTRP)" under the Parasol Project, bringing together national and local government planners, operators, researchers, and development partners in the country.

This event led by SafeTravelPH tackled one of the most urgent and complex challenges in transport modernization: how to make PTMP and LPTRP planning more adaptive, data-driven, and financially viable—especially for LGUs and transport cooperatives navigating the evolving landscape of public transport reform.

From honest conversations on implementation constraints and latest research, to pre-workshop presentations of simulating mixed-fleet operations and policy directions discussion, we witnessed the potential of adaptive, grounded planning for a complex system like road-based public transport in the Philippine context.

Here are some of the important reforms and improvements suggested by participants:

1. Plan with Flexibility, Not Rigidity LPTRPs should adapt to actual travel demand, allow mixed fleets, and recognize the realities of off-peak and low-density routes — not force a one-size-fits-all model.

2. Fund Smarter, Not Just Bigger From leasing models to using local climate and disaster-related funds and traffic violation fees, LGUs can creatively mobilize resources to support sustainable and inclusive transport reforms.

3. Strengthen LGU Roles in Daily Operations Empower cities and municipalities to manage terminals, enforce service plans, and coordinate with TSEs — decentralizing control where it matters most.

4. Let Data Drive Decisions OD surveys, fuel/energy efficiency tracking, fare studies, and GPS-based mapping should guide planning — not just assumptions or outdated templates.

5. 5Build Transport Governance That Connects Encourage coordination and adaptive planning between LGUs, provinces, and national agencies, especially for inter-LGU routes and incorporation of land use and development planning. Push for transport offices in every LGU.

Key workshop outcomes are:

• Policy proposals for planning, funding, operations, and monitoring of PTMP.

• Data life cycle framework for LPTRP implementation, strengthening the trustworthiness of the document, which should include network, business, and service plans.

• Scenario-based route planning using mixed fleet strategies, for phased transition roadmap of traditional and modern PUVs, and of individually and TSE/coop-owned vehicles.

Consolidated inputs shall be submitted t to DOTr officials and present to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD). Follow-up technical workshop with DOTr and LTFRB, and LGUs with complete and open data are being scheduled also.

A huge thank you to our speakers, facilitators, and participants — from Quezon City, Pasig City, Naga City, Iloilo City, DOTr, OTC, DHSUD, DEPDev, GIZ, ICSC, Clean Air Asia, UP-NCTS, UP-NCPAG, NFTC, and others — for your commitment to building a smarter, more inclusive public transport system. Let’s continue this journey toward people-centered, climate-responsive mobility.