The business sector has urged the government to immediately open up mass transportation, including allowing jeepneys to ply their routes but under a new rationalized system and strict health and safety compliance.
In a position paper submitted to Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has outlined immediate and medium term recommendations to ensure safe and efficient mass transportation in the National Capital Region to help workers to get to work.
The MAP document signed by its President Francisco ED. Lim highlighted the role of jeepneys as critical to meet Metro Manila transport demands.
“Jeepneys must be allowed to operate but under strict monitoring and regulation by the Land Transportation, Franchising, Regulatory Board, the local government unit and the barangay where their terminals are located to ensure that health protocols are complied with,” MAP said.
By rationalized system, MAP said the jeepney operation should be considered in terms of consortia, a strict vehicle inspection and driver’s fixed salaries rather than the current boundary system.
There must also be established jeepney terminals to be manned by local government units and barangay personnel to ensure compliance with health protocols in the terminals and the vehicles prior to departure.
Fixed schedule for jeepneys
It will also ensure that jeepneys follow a fixed schedule (similar to the bus run) and that the pick-up and unloading of passengers are only in designated jeepney stops. Violators of jeepney stops to suffer heavy penalties, not only the driver, but also the operator/owner.
Dedicated bus lane
For buses, MAP has recommended a dedicated bus lane with speed limiters and scheduled runs.
An ISO certification for bus operators has been suggested to ensure compliance with best practices in public transport management and to weed out “colorum” buses as they will not be able to secure required certifications, MAP said.
Completion of 16 bus terminals
MAP also called for the completion and operation of 16 bus terminals and center islands along EDSA with commuter safety and access facilities for pregnant women, PWDs, and seniors.
It also urged the immediate construction of a bus terminal to serve as a model and template for the other stations to include escalators, elevators and stairways.
Fixed salaries
MAP has also proposed fixed salaries to drivers, instead of the present boundary system, to eliminate disorderly competition for passengers and restore some order to our streets. This will also facilitate registration in government agencies (ex., DOLE, SSS, PhilHealth) while also facilitating tax collection forcing the under-ground economy to surface.
50% load for rail transit
MAP also urged that the Rail Transit System must be allowed to operate at 50 percent load factor just like the other forms of public transportation to further facilitate the seamless flow of passengers from the rail system to the buses and jeepneys while also ensuring that all health protocols are strictly enforced and followed.
Medium-term goals
For the medium term, MAP has proposed the imposition of congestion pricing for private vehicles to manage congestion in the still to be identified business centers and chokepoints in the 17 LGUs that compose the National Capital Region.
In the holistic approach to transportation, MMDA’s powers should be reviewed and improved either through an EO or legislation or both.