LTFRB to assess possibility of letting PUJs operate under GCQ —Delgra

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said Saturday it will have an assessment to determine if public utility jeepneys can be allowed to operate in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said in a virtual briefing that the idea had arisen because the two-phased plan of the Department of Transportation in gradually allowing public transportation to resume has not included PUJs.

“There has to be an assessment kung kailangan na kailangan na natin ‘yung traditional jeepney kasi sinusunod po natin yung guidance na kailangan mauuna ‘yung hierarchy of public transport,” Delgra said.

“When we talk about hierarchy nakita natin kailangan gagamitin ang isang pampublikong sasakyan na mas maraming makasasakay, kaya unang una ang bus [at] kung 'di kaya ng bus, baba sa modern jeepneys,” Delgra added.

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.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, for his part, asked for the patience and understanding of traditional jeepney operators and drivers.

“Pasensya na po sa ating mga kapatid na namamasada ng mga jeepney pero pinag-aaralan pa po kung paano magkakaroon ng social distancing sa ating mga jeepney,” Roque said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

“Bagamat meron na po tayong bahagyang pagbukas o pagpayag sa mga pampublikong transportasyon ay pangunahing guideline po diyan ay social distancing... Ang mga jeepney po kasi ay harapan so napakahirap magkaroon ng social distancing pero pag aaralan pa po ‘yan,” he said. —LBG, GMA News