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Traditional jeeps allowed to resume ops in NCR sans QR codes until Sunday


On the first day of operations of traditional jeepneys after three months, the government has allowed those without the required QR codes to operate for a limited period of time, according to Engr. Alberto Suansing, senior consultant to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Interviewed on Unang Hirit on Friday, Suansing said jeepneys without QR codes can operate until Sunday. "Sa Lunes, kung walang QR codes ay hindi na sila dapat tumakbo," he said.

Suansing said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) arrived at this decision after its website, from which the QR codes can be downloaded, experienced technical problems in the past days.

"Down 'yung server ng LTFRB, 'yung website hindi gumagana," he said, adding the trouble started when the LTFRB migrated its data from the old server to the new one.

QR codes are among the requirements before traditional jeepneys are allowed to resume operations amid the general community quarantine (GCQ) being observed in Metro Manila due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"QR codes will determine kung 'yung unit na 'yan ay hindi colorum," Suansing said.

Suansing also reiterated that only jeeps deemed "roadworthy" by the government will be allowed to resume operations. He said jeepney inspections are ongoing.

"Yung inspeksiyon ng sasakyan, kung ito ay mausok, kung ito ay bulok, tuloy-tuloy 'yun," he said.

The LTFRB, through Memorandum Circular 2020-026, has earlier released guidelines allowing thousands of roadworthy traditional jeepneys to resume operations under GCQ in Metro Manila. It also released an initial list of routes which PUJs can ply with “NO SPECIAL PERMIT NECESSARY” starting 3 July 2020.

Suansing said new routes can be added on to the list based on "travel demand."

"Hindi naman ngangangahulugan na 'yang 49 na 'yan ay 'yan lang. Masusundan pa 'yan," he said.

In an interview on ANC, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia said only 10 to 20% of the total jeepneys in Metro Manila were allowed to ply the roads.

"Because ito yung target talaga ng DOTr na moderate ang pagdami ng public transport," he said.

Garcia also said the MMDA is ready to enforce the policy that will be issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the LTFRB.

Garcia said aside from roadworthiness, another factor considered in the deployment of jeepney is passenger demand.

"Number one is roadworthiness. Number two depends on how many jeepneys will be needed dun sa route na dinesignate ng LTFRB," he said. --KBK, GMA News

 

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