No traffic expected in GCQ areas due to less passengers, PUVs

DESPITE LOWERING  the maximum capacity of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to half in areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday said it does not expect a surge in the number of PUVs or passengers as GCQ areas would only allow a limited number of persons outside their homes.    

In a television interview over program Unang Hirit, LTFRB Chair Martin Delgra III said areas put under a GCQ — those with low to moderate possibility of infection with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) — would only allow a limited number of PUVs to resume operation as the LTFRB expects lower demand for public transport.

 

“Hindi naman po lahat ng mga dating mananakay eh makakalabas ng bahay at ba-biyahe. So, ang ibig pong sabihin nito, meron pa rin pong mga tao na (Not all former commuters will be allowed to go out. What this means is, there will still be people who will be) prohibited, or not allowed to go out of their homes,” Delgra said.

 

Based on the demand for public transport, he said the LTFRB will issue special permits to operate in GCQ areas with preference to PUVs with higher capacities—buses first in the list, followed by modern jeepneys, traditional jeepneys, vans, and then tricycles.

 

“Yung mga pampublikong sasakyan, na papayagan na bumiyahe (The PUVs that will be allowed to operate), would be at a reduced capacity. So, titignan natin yung mga modes na mas malaki o mas marami ang kapasidad (So, we’re looking at transportation modes that are bigger or have bigger passenger capacity),” Delgra said.

 

Aside from having a lower passenger capacity, demand, and — number of PUVs, he said PUV routes will also be altered or reduced based on the needs of each region.

 

“Inayos na rin po natin ang mga ruta — hindi lang po dito sa Metro Manila, kundi sa mga lugar sa ibang rehiyon ng bansa — kung saan na-declare na rin po na GCQ areas (We have also fixed the routes — not only here in Metro Manila, but also in other regions in the country where GCQ was declared),” Delgra said.

 

On Thursday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the guidelines for the resumption of public transportation in areas under a GCQ as part of relaxed measures meant to ease the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Aside from acquiring a special permit and halved passenger capacity, the DOTr said it also requires PUV drivers and all passengers to wear face masks at all times, a plastic or acetate wall to separate the driver from passengers, fare to be paid before boarding PUVs, among other measures meant to address the risk of infection of the respiratory disease in public transportation.