MANILA – As Metro Manila reverted to general community quarantine (GCQ) on Aug. 19, at least 23 modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) of the Novaliches-Malinta Jeepney Transport Service Cooperative (NMJTSC) have resumed plying the Novaliches (Quezon City)-Malinta (Valenzuela City) route.
NMJTSC General Manager Helen Reponia-Viloria said Friday (Aug. 21) that their air-conditioned PUJs stopped operation on Aug. 4 when President Duterte placed the Mega Manila area under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) again, after medical frontliners asked for a "timeout" because of the increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
With the shift to GCQ, Viloria said they have undertaken steps to strictly comply with the guidelines of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The NMJTSC enforces safe physical distancing among its passengers. Instead of the usual 26-seat capacity of the modern PUJ, only 15 passengers are accommodated on each trip.
The passengers are also required to wear face shields and face masks.
Passengers below 21 years old and senior citizens 60 years old and above are not allowed to ride.
Viloria said they charge a minimum fare of P11, and P19 for a ride from Novaliches to Valenzuela.
The modern PUJs were launched on the Novaliches-Malinta route connecting Novaliches, North Caloocan City, Quezon City, and Valenzuela City under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Duterte administration.
The NMJTSC has terminals at the Shop and Ride Site in Barangay Novaliches Proper and near the Valenzuela City Hall along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Malinta.