Nearly half of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Region 1 have stopped operating, according to data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
More than 45% of PUVs in the region have ceased operations following five consecutive weeks of fuel price increases.
According to LTO Region 1 Director Glorioso Daniel Martinez, many public transport operators have halted their services as operating costs have become unsustainable.
In response, the LTO has started offering free rides on selected routes, including buses bound for La Union.
More routes are expected to be added in the coming week.
Despite this, some commuters say that the number of operating vehicles remains limited.
