Rules and Regulations Governing the Operation of School Utility Vehicles

September 16, 1986

LTC ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 86AO-005

 

The bus has distinct safety features which smaller vehicles, like the Filipino jeepney and Asean Utility Vehicles do not normally have. For these reasons, the defunct Board of Transportation (BOT) in its Memorandum Circular No. 81-JC-1025 Has prohibited the use of motor vehicles with a capacity of less than seventeen (17) passengers and weighing less than 4500 kgs. as school utility vehicles in effect prohibiting the use of the Filipino jeepney and the Asean Utility Vehicle. However, notwithstanding the prohibition, these smaller vehicles have continued to proliferate and to be properly used as shuttle vehicles for school children in private transactions on account of their capacity. Children do not have to wake up earlier and arrive home later than they would if they took the bus. Furthermore, in case of breakdown, it is easier to get the kids home through other means.

In order to provide the public the benefit of the proper safety features and markings prescribed for school utility vehicles, the use of the Filipino Jeepney and Asean Utility Vehicle should be authorized and placed under the governance of this Commission.

Pursuant to Section 13 (a) of Commonwealth Act 146 and Section 4d(1) of Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, Memorandum Circular No. 81-JC-1025 is hereby revised for the information, guidance and compliance of all concerned.

SECTION 1. Purpose. — To authorize the operation of buses and smaller types of vehicles as school utility vehicles.

SECTION 2. Criteria. — In so far as it is the responsibility of the school to provide for the safety and welfare of the pupils/students, it is the opinion of the Commission that the school should have a direct hand in the matter of providing transportation for their pupils/students. cATDIH

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — The following words and phrases used herein shall have their meanings subscribed to them for the purpose of this Order.

a) School Utility Vehicle refers to a motor vehicle, either school jeepney or school bus, used in transporting school children.

b) School Bus refers to a passenger bus/van with a gross weight of more than 4500 kgs. operating as a school utility vehicle with passenger seats facing forward of the vehicle with a capacity of at least seventeen (17) passengers, including the driver. This includes buses, midi and mini buses, passenger vans and the like.

c) School Jeepney refers to the Asean Utility Vehicle (AUV) such as fieras, tamaraws, cimarron, KC20 and the like or the Filipino jeepney which evolved from the general purpose vehicle of the US Army during World War II both having a gross weight of less than 4500 kgs., with two (2) long passenger seats facing each other in-board. SHaATC

d) School Utility Operator refers to a private carrier engaged in the transportation of school children, pupils or students to and from the particular school as well as transporting said limited class of passengers in connection with any school activity which may require the use of transportation facilities. He does not offer his service to the general public for hire or compensation but limits his clientele to selected customers willing to pay rates agreed upon in consideration for the special kind of service he offers. He is a public utility operator and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Land Transportation Commission (LTC).

SECTION 4. Scope. — School utility vehicles defined above shall be eligible to operate as school buses/jeepneys provided that the requirements in this Order and all other requirements are complied with.

SECTION 5. Guidelines. — The following rules and regulations are hereby promulgated for the operation of school utility vehicles.

a) Application. All applicants to operate a school utility vehicle service must submit a written contract duly executed before a notary public, between him and the school, specifying, among others:

1. Kind of service desired;

2. Rates to be charged including special trips as part of school activities;

3. Term of duration of the contract which should not be less than two (2) years; and

4. Type of vehicle to be used under the LTC requirements.

In case the school is the operator, the school must submit a written contract with the parent's organization embodying among them, the terms and conditions above stated.

b) Granting of Authority. If the applicant-operator meets all the requirements prescribed for a public utility operator, in addition to the above, the LTC will grant a provisional authority for one (1) year renewable for such period of time as the contract for the school vehicle service between the school and the operator is in effect. Should the school not renew or cancel or terminate its contract with the operator, the provisional authority shall be deemed-terminated and cancelled, unless the operator has a new contract with the same or another school. If the operator executes a new contract with another school, he must file a new application based on the new contract with the new school and subject to the terms thereof. As much as possible, a school must enter into a contract for the service of only one (1) school vehicle operator for any school year. DaTEIc

c) Rates. The rates to be charged shall be subject to agreement between the school and the operator, and the Land Transportation Commission shall not exercise its rate-fixing authority unless the school, or student council or any organization representing the students or parent's organization as the case may invokes the intervention of the LTC.

d) School Authority. The school vehicle operator shall be subject to the control and supervision of the school as it traverses and operates within the school compound and premises, and violation of the school regulation, if properly brought to the attention of the LTC, will be caused for suspension, cancellation or revocation of the provisional authority.

e) Compulsory Insurance. In addition to the compulsory liability insurance imposed by law, an accident insurance policy of FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) per passenger capacity with a reputable insurer which policy must at all times be in force shall be required. A copy of such policy must be attached to the application.

f) Hazard Lights. All school utility vehicles shall have a pair of yellow hazard lights in front, a pair of red hazard lights at the rear with at least 32 candlepower. A side hazard (flashing) light is optional. All hazard lights shall be switched on when the school utility vehicle is unloading/loading passengers to warn other motorists.

g) Fire Extinguisher. All school utility vehicles shall carry at all times a portable fire extinguisher in good operating condition. The number of fire extinguishers which shall be installed in school utility vehicles will be as follows:

1) For school jeepneys — one (1) unit with a weight of 2.2 lbs.; and ACTEHI

2) For school buses — two (2) units with a weight of 2.2 lbs. or one (1) unit with a weight of five (5) lbs.

h) Windows. The side windows shall be covered with a strong wire mesh or iron grill detachable from inside and outside the vehicle for the safety of the passengers.

In cases of school vehicles with fixed window glasses, the iron grill/wire mesh is optional.

i) Means of Access. The school bus must have only a side door on the front right side and must be provided with an emergency exit at the rear which must be locked to be opened in times of emergency. For the school jeepney, a side access is preferred (optional) over a rear access . School jeepneys with a rear access shall be provided with a shutter whose height shall be on the same level as the pipe railings. A jeepney whose rear section is not completely closed, particularly the Sarao type Filipino jeepney, shall be provided with a front mud spray guard mud spray just below the rear step. (See illustration on Annex B-2)

Side Markings. Both sides of all school utility vehicles shall be marked SCHOOL BUS/SCHOOL JEEPNEY in solid black color on a yellow rectangular strip background. (See Table of Specifications)

Front and Rear Markings. The front and rear of all school utility vehicles shall be painted alternating black and yellow Vee stripes slanted 45º, (See appropriate illustrations). At the rear of the Vehicle, the following markings must be prominently inscribed in three (3) lines in solid black color on a yellow rectangular strip background. (See Table of Specifications)

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6. School Jeepney (SJ) as a Subclassification of For Hire Vehicles. — Section 3b of Administrative Order No. 3, series of 1980 is hereby amended adding School Jeepney (SJ) as a subclassification of for hire vehicles which shall be item 13.

SECTION 7. Supercession Clause. — This publication supercedes Memorandum Circular No. 81-JC-1025 of the defunct BOT and the LTC Unnumbered Memorandum dated 09 October 1985 relative to the school bus specifications. EAICTS

SECTION 8. Effectivity. — This publication shall take effect immediately upon approval.

(SGD.) MARIANO R. SANTIAGOChairman

APPROVED:

(SGD.) CONSTANCIO C. TORRALBADeputy Minister(Officer-in-Charge)