Reopening more transport routes would give commuters in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) a safer means of transport, according to the Department of Transportation.
When the metropolitan and nearby provinces eased into general community quarantine (GCQ) more businesses reopened operations and allowed more workforce to go outside.
TO provide safer options for commuters , the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has decided to allow the operations ofaround 4,400 public utility vehicles in Metro Manila starting next week.
Of the number, 1,800 traditional jeepneys and 2,600 provincial buses would be allowed to operate on 250 more PUV routes.
The resumption of operations will push through next week even if the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is extended in Metro Manila.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the reopening of more routes would mean safer options for commuters.
Private organizations, Metro Manila mayors, and even the National Economic and Development Authority have been asking the transport agencies to allow more mass transportation and increase seating capacity since the start of the year.
When the metropolitan and nearby provinces eased into general community quarantine (GCQ) more businesses reopened operations and allowed more workforce to go outside.
Transportation, however, remained limited. The Employers Confederation of the Philippines noted that the limited transportation options cannot accommodate the country’s workforce.
In February, Metro Manila mayors supported NEDA’s proposal to increase public transportation from 50 to 75 percent capacity.
“Because, as we speak, people now are congesting in terminals and lining up a longer period of the time so exposure to threats of Covid-19 is very high,” Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said in an interview.
Currently, 745 routes are operational wherein 53,441 PUV units are allowed to operate. This is only 76% of the total percent of routes and PUV units in Metro Manila.
Traditional PUJs are allowed to operate given that they have a valid Personal Passenger Insurance Policy along the approved routes.
Additionally, the public vehicle must be equipped with a QR Code from the LTFRB displayed. The QR code image is downloadable on the LTFRB website.
With more public transport on the streets, the workforce will avoid overcrowding in terminals or get left behind after the curfew. The imposed curfew is from 6 PM to 5 AM while APORs are given a two-hour window. (HD)
Tags: #enhancedcommunityquarantine, #publictransport, #DepartmentOfTransportation