Jeepneys, UV Express may be allowed in Metro Manila before June 21 if needed —DOTr exec

Jeepneys and UV Express units may be allowed to operate in Metro Manila even before the Phase 1 of the resumption of public transportation ends on June 21 to augment the number of public utility vehicles serving commuters, Transport Assistant Secretary Mark De Leon said on Sunday.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, De Leon said that while jeepneys and UV Express are considered "high-risk" public utility vehicles (PUVs), they may be allowed to ply roads if the number of PUVs serving the public from June 1 to 21 is not enough.

"Kung hindi sufficient ang bus na 'yan, ang next na titignan natin ay 'yung mga modern jeepneys. Kapag hindi pa rin available 'yang mga modern jeepneys na 'yan, saka na lang tayo titingin kung may available na UV Express at lumang jeepneys," he said.

"'Yung mga lumang jeepneys kasi we are considering it as high-risk dahil wala silang mga tap card system, wala silang AFCS [Automatic Fare Collection System]. Napakahirap ng implementation ng public transportation sa mga ganyan at magiging delikado, napakadelikado ng ating public transportation. Baka maging transmission pa sila ng COVID kung saka-sakali," he added.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier announced that there will be two phases to be executed in the resumption of public transportation in Metro Manila as it transitions into general community quarantine (GCQ) on Monday.

Under Phase 1, covering June 1 to 21, trains and bus augmentation, taxis, TNVS (transport network vehicle services), shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles will be allowed to operate with a limited passenger capacity.

Tricycles will also be allowed, subject to the prior approval of the concerned local government units.

Provincial buses will be barred from entering Metro Manila during the June 1 to 21 period.

In Phase 2, covering June 22 to 30, public utility buses, modern PUVs or jeepneys, and UV Express will be allowed to operate, also with limited passenger capacity.

Transport modes allowed under Phase 2 will operate alongside those allowed during Phase 1, the DOTr said.

The bus augmentation will mainly cater to the usual passengers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3, De Leon said.

"Ang bus augmentation na 'yan ay magsasakay sa North Avenue and Quezon Avenue. Ang babaan niyan is Ayala and Taft. 'Yun lang ang ating serbisyo for tomorrow for bus transport. Papayagan natin 'yang bus augmentation na 'yan," he said.

"Ang bayad lang niyan is flat fare na P25 at hindi siya puwedeng magbaba-sakay lingid doon sa mga binanggit kong istasyon ng MRT," he added.

De Leon also said bus operators in Metro Manila have agreed to organize themselves into a single consortium.

"Kahapon kausap natin itong mga bus operators. Sila ay magjo-join na into a single consortium para mas organized 'yung kanilang takbo. Walang competition sa kalsada, at 'yung mga driver sumusunod sa isang sistema," he said.

The DOTr said new normal guidelines must still be observed by the road transport sector during the GCQ, including wearing of face masks, implementation of no-contact measures such as cashless payments, use of thermal scanners, among others.

The GCQ in Metro Manila will be in effect until June 15. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News