DOTr bats for increase in PUV passenger capacity in NCR

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing for an increase in passenger capacity of public utility vehicles (PUVs) following the downgrading of Metro Manila's COVID-19 alert level from 4 to 3.

In a press briefing Monday, DOTr Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor said increasing the number of PUV passenger capacity from the current 50% will not only help commuters but also PUV drivers and operators as well.

"Irerekomenda po ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon ang pagtaas ng passenger capacity sa ating mga PUVs [The DOTr is recommending an increase in passenger capacity of PUVs] to cope up with the increased number of individuals using public transport due to the imposition of a more relaxed quarantine status," he said.

Pastor said a proposal will be formally submitted to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the government's policy-making body in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposal, Pastor said, will be based on both technical and medical studies.

"The increase will be significant. I cannot give the exact figure at this point in time," he said.

Pastor said that for the meantime, the DOTr will continue its monitoring of passenger capacity in PUVs amid the pandemic.

Alert Level 3, under which more businesses are allowed to operate, will be imposed over Metro Manila from October 16 to 31 unless earlier lifted or extended by the government.  —KBK, GMA News