Jeepneys could be allowed if public transport not enough -- DOTr
Published Jun 1, 2020 12:00 am
By Jeffrey Damicog
Should there be a lack of public transportation, jeepneys could make a comeback this June, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Monday.
Public utility jeepneys (PUJ) pass along Quezon Avenue (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“Kung kinukulang ho ang mga sasakyan na ina-allow sa hierarchy of transportation, then pwede ho payagan yung traditional jeepneys subject to all those stated conditions (If the allowed modes of transportation are not enough, then traditional jeepneys will be allowed subject to conditions),” he said during an interview over CNN Philippines.
Tugade said jeepneys will be allowed this month if these have been found to be still road worthy and health and sanitation protocols have been met.
Starting June 1, Metro Manila and other areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) will be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ).
The DOTr decided to bring back public transportation into two phases this June in GCQ areas.
During Phase 1, from June 1 to 21, public transportation that have been allowed are trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services (TNVS), shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles but with limited passenger capacity.
Tricycles will be allowed during this phase depending on the approval of the local government unit (LGU).
For Phase 2, from June 22 to 30, public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles, and UV Express will be included among those which will be allowed.
In both phases, traditional jeepneys have not been allowed to return to the streets.
During the first day under GCQ, many commuters have been complaining of difficulty in getting rides to work.
“Nakikiusap kami at nagsusumamo sa inyo na bigyan ninyo kami ng pasensya at understanding (We ask for your patience and understanding),” Tugade asked the public.
Even if the DOTr has the mandate to provide transportation to the public, Tugade said it never promised that it will be able to provide transportation for all this Monday.
“We have also the equal responsibility to make sure that the spread of COVID-19 is prevented and stopped,” he said.
Public utility jeepneys (PUJ) pass along Quezon Avenue (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“Kung kinukulang ho ang mga sasakyan na ina-allow sa hierarchy of transportation, then pwede ho payagan yung traditional jeepneys subject to all those stated conditions (If the allowed modes of transportation are not enough, then traditional jeepneys will be allowed subject to conditions),” he said during an interview over CNN Philippines.
Tugade said jeepneys will be allowed this month if these have been found to be still road worthy and health and sanitation protocols have been met.
Starting June 1, Metro Manila and other areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) will be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ).
The DOTr decided to bring back public transportation into two phases this June in GCQ areas.
During Phase 1, from June 1 to 21, public transportation that have been allowed are trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services (TNVS), shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles but with limited passenger capacity.
Tricycles will be allowed during this phase depending on the approval of the local government unit (LGU).
For Phase 2, from June 22 to 30, public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles, and UV Express will be included among those which will be allowed.
In both phases, traditional jeepneys have not been allowed to return to the streets.
During the first day under GCQ, many commuters have been complaining of difficulty in getting rides to work.
“Nakikiusap kami at nagsusumamo sa inyo na bigyan ninyo kami ng pasensya at understanding (We ask for your patience and understanding),” Tugade asked the public.
Even if the DOTr has the mandate to provide transportation to the public, Tugade said it never promised that it will be able to provide transportation for all this Monday.
“We have also the equal responsibility to make sure that the spread of COVID-19 is prevented and stopped,” he said.