Manila Bulletin
Philippines
DOTr calls for understanding as public transportation starts to return to normal
Philippines
DOTr calls for understanding as public transportation starts to return to normal
DOTr calls for understanding as public transportation starts to return to normal
Published Jun 1, 2020 12:00 am
By Alexandria San Juan
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) appealed for understanding from commuters on Monday, adding that the current situation of the public transportation system in Metro Manila was still not normal despite the shift to general community quarantine (GCQ).
"Wala kaming ipinangako o sinabi na ang transportasyon ay magiging extensive and will meet the requirement of all on the first day of the GCQ and even in the duration of the GCQ, because our approach is partial, limited, calculated, and gradual," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in an interview.
(JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN)
(We do not promise or said anything that the transportation will be extensive and will meet the requirement of all on the first day of the GCQ and even in the duration of the GCQ, because our approach is partial, limited, calculated, and gradual.)
Tugade explained that while the Department's mandate was to provide modes of transportation for the riding public, another concern of the agency for now was to ensure the health and safety of the passengers.
"In this time of COVID, we also have equal responsibility to make sure that the threat of the virus is prevented and stopped. Nakikiusap kami na bigyan ninyo kami ng pasensya at understanding because what we are doing right now is for the welfare of everyone (We ask for patience and be understanding as what we are doing right now is for the welfare of everyone)," he added.
The DOTr earlier announced that the public transportation in Metro Manila will gradually resume in two phases in the duration of the GCQ -- June 1 to 21 for the first phase, and June 22 to 30 for the second phase.
On the first phase of the PUV resumption which began Monday, all train systems and bus augmentation units, taxis, ride-hailing cars, shuttle services, point-to-point (P2P) buses, and bicycles were allowed to operate but at a limited capacity only.
Smooth train travel, fewer passengers
DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddess Libiran said that public transport along EDSA on Monday was "generally okay" with faster travel time and fewer passenger queues on the train systems.
However, Libiran bared that there were still areas in Metro Manila where transportation was inadequate. She said that this will be monitored by transportation authorities for possible opening of new routes.
"May mga areas na ni-report sa amin na sadyang kulang ang transportation like in Commonwealth and Bacoor. Iyan yung mga lugar na tinitingnan ng LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) ngayon para pagbuksan ng ruta for buses," she said.
(There are areas reported to us where transportation is still inadequate, like in Commonwealth and Bacoor. The LTFRB is looking at these areas now to possibly open up routes for buses.)
MRT-3 Director Michael Capati also said that the operations at the rail line on Monday morning was manageable as passengers, although fewer than they expected, were "very cooperative" with the health protocols.
Twenty train sets, including the three Dalian Trains, were able to ferry passengers on Monday with a headway of six minutes.
Tricycles were also allowed in Phase 1, subject to prior approval of the concerned local government unit (LGU), the DOTr said, while provincial buses were still barred from entering the National Capita Region (NCR).
More PUVs in Phase 2
Meanwhile, all public utility buses, modern jeepneys, and UV Express will be permitted back on the road for the second phase, but also with limited passenger-capacity, the DOTr added.
According to Tugade, these modes of public transport may be given the green light to operate earlier if the current health situation in the National Capital Region (NCR) improves.
"Kung lalala ang sitwasyon at ibabalik ulit ang NCR sa modified enhanced community quarantine, hindi maitutuloy ang pagresume ng mga public transport na ito. It will depend on the health situation," he said.
Old jeep will be allowed if roadworthy
The DOTr chief added that traditional jeepneys will still be allowed to operate, and can serve as augmentation if modern jeeps will not be enough to ferry commuters in an area under GCQ.
Aside from this, the units should also be roadworthy and will be able to maintain safety and sanitation protocols required by the DOTr to all public utility vehicles.
With the resumption of PUV operations, the Department reiterated that healthy and safety protocols should be strictly observed by drivers and operators, as well as passengers, as part of the "new normal" in transportation.
(JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN)
(We do not promise or said anything that the transportation will be extensive and will meet the requirement of all on the first day of the GCQ and even in the duration of the GCQ, because our approach is partial, limited, calculated, and gradual.)
Tugade explained that while the Department's mandate was to provide modes of transportation for the riding public, another concern of the agency for now was to ensure the health and safety of the passengers.
"In this time of COVID, we also have equal responsibility to make sure that the threat of the virus is prevented and stopped. Nakikiusap kami na bigyan ninyo kami ng pasensya at understanding because what we are doing right now is for the welfare of everyone (We ask for patience and be understanding as what we are doing right now is for the welfare of everyone)," he added.
The DOTr earlier announced that the public transportation in Metro Manila will gradually resume in two phases in the duration of the GCQ -- June 1 to 21 for the first phase, and June 22 to 30 for the second phase.
On the first phase of the PUV resumption which began Monday, all train systems and bus augmentation units, taxis, ride-hailing cars, shuttle services, point-to-point (P2P) buses, and bicycles were allowed to operate but at a limited capacity only.
Smooth train travel, fewer passengers
DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddess Libiran said that public transport along EDSA on Monday was "generally okay" with faster travel time and fewer passenger queues on the train systems.
However, Libiran bared that there were still areas in Metro Manila where transportation was inadequate. She said that this will be monitored by transportation authorities for possible opening of new routes.
"May mga areas na ni-report sa amin na sadyang kulang ang transportation like in Commonwealth and Bacoor. Iyan yung mga lugar na tinitingnan ng LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) ngayon para pagbuksan ng ruta for buses," she said.
(There are areas reported to us where transportation is still inadequate, like in Commonwealth and Bacoor. The LTFRB is looking at these areas now to possibly open up routes for buses.)
MRT-3 Director Michael Capati also said that the operations at the rail line on Monday morning was manageable as passengers, although fewer than they expected, were "very cooperative" with the health protocols.
Twenty train sets, including the three Dalian Trains, were able to ferry passengers on Monday with a headway of six minutes.
Tricycles were also allowed in Phase 1, subject to prior approval of the concerned local government unit (LGU), the DOTr said, while provincial buses were still barred from entering the National Capita Region (NCR).
More PUVs in Phase 2
Meanwhile, all public utility buses, modern jeepneys, and UV Express will be permitted back on the road for the second phase, but also with limited passenger-capacity, the DOTr added.
According to Tugade, these modes of public transport may be given the green light to operate earlier if the current health situation in the National Capital Region (NCR) improves.
"Kung lalala ang sitwasyon at ibabalik ulit ang NCR sa modified enhanced community quarantine, hindi maitutuloy ang pagresume ng mga public transport na ito. It will depend on the health situation," he said.
Old jeep will be allowed if roadworthy
The DOTr chief added that traditional jeepneys will still be allowed to operate, and can serve as augmentation if modern jeeps will not be enough to ferry commuters in an area under GCQ.
Aside from this, the units should also be roadworthy and will be able to maintain safety and sanitation protocols required by the DOTr to all public utility vehicles.
With the resumption of PUV operations, the Department reiterated that healthy and safety protocols should be strictly observed by drivers and operators, as well as passengers, as part of the "new normal" in transportation.