More modes of transportation, faster travel time, and less "red tape" are among the benefits being eyed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for commuters as part of its strategic plan under the "new normal."

Called "Oplan AIR," Transportation Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez described it as the dapartment's strategic plan to formulate and implement transport initiatives as the country gradually reopens from the pandemic. 

Lopez said Oplan AIR stands for "add, increase, and reduce or remove."

The DOTr's first move under the plan, Lopez said, is to add more public utility vehicles (PUVs) such as trains, public utility jeepneys, buses, as well as more marine public transportation vehicles and flights.

The agency also aims to approve more routes and franchises and promote more alternative ways of transportation such as bike, scooter, motorcycle as well as other "active transport" modes.

Next is to increase the speed of public transportation through service contracting, creation of dedicated lanes such as the EDSA bus way and bike lanes, and the use of cashless transactions for PUVs and agency processes. 
The last step mentioned by Lopez is the reduction of travel time and getting rid of both red tape and corruption.

"We are doing this by reducing headway or waiting time in trains; achieving predictable boarding, loading and unloading, and implementing electronic ticketing system at ports," Lopez said.

"Reduced time is also being observed in achieving swift and seamless agency processes which will in turn result to the prevention of corrupt practices and red tape," he explained.

To further remove or reduce corruption in the transport sector, Lopez bared that the DOTr and its attached agencies are turning all of its processes into online-based processes. 

Lopez said Oplan AIR is only part of the massive efforts being undertaken by the department in "recharging" the Philippines amid the challenges caused by the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic