By Alexandria San Juan More public transportation systems will gradually resume operations in Metro Manila and other areas to be placed under the general community quarantine (GCQ). This will begin on June 1, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said. (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN) The DOTr issued on Friday, May 29, its guidelines on the revival of public transportation in Metro Manila following President Duterte's approval on the region's transition from a modified enhanced community quarantine to a more relaxed GCQ. In a statement, the DOTr announced that the resumption of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in areas under GCQ will be implemented in two phases to observe the so-called "hierarchy of public transportation." "There will be two phases to be executed for allowing the operation of the different modes of public transportation," the DOTr said. From June 1 to 21, the first phase of PUV resumption, trains and bus augmentation units, taxis, ride-hailing cars, shuttle services, point-to-point (P2P) buses, and bicycles will be allowed to operate at a limited capacity only. According to the DOTr, provincial buses are still barred from entering the capital region in Phase 1, while tricycles will be allowed subject to prior approval of the concerned local government unit. Meanwhile, public utility buses, modern PUVs, and UV Express will be allowed back on the road for the second phase which will run from June 22 to 30, also with limited passenger capacity, the DOTr added. 'New normal' protocols With the resumption of PUV operations, the Department reiterated healthy and safety protocols that should be strictly observed by drivers and operators, as well as passengers, as part of the "new normal" in transportation. The DOTr added that the one-meter social distance rule between passengers will be strictly enforced inside all PUVs and mass transport units at all times in line with the guidelines issued by health authorities Other stringent sanitary measures include the mandatory wearing of face masks, implementation of cashless payments, use of thermal scanners, availability of alcohol and sanitizers in PUVs, disinfection of high-touch surfaces, establishment of disinfection facilities in terminals, and contact tracing through a manifesto or logbook. "In the new normal period, the DOTr will be harnessing the advantages of technology in implementing its initiatives for road-based transport to minimize physical contact or face-to-face interaction to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the Department said. Automatic fare collection system, cashless payment transactions, and electronic toll collection will also be implemented, the DOTr said, adding that it will continue to pursue and promote online transactions in licensing, registration, and other documentary requirements. The DOTr mentioned that there will be other institutional changes to be employed in the new normal transition such as:

• Routes rationalization for more effective traffic management
• Industry consolidation, to make it more efficient and financially tenable for stakeholders
• The use of shuttle services to prevent students and employees from contracting the virus will also be encouraged
• Promotion of the use of non-motorized transport or use of bicycles, to maintain physical distancing, provide environmental and health benefits, and promote efficient road space use

Under GCQ, the Transportation sector added that it is set to transform EDSA to include dedicated lanes for bikes, as well as putting up pedestrian crossing and bus boarding areas.