DOTr opens 2 more routes to address transportation woes under GCQ

The government has opened two more routes in Metro Manila to address the transportation woes that greeted workers on Monday, the first day of the implementation of general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the two routes are Angat, Bulacan to Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, and Dasmariñas, Cavite to PITX (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange). 

"Dahil sa eksperyensya kahapon ay magbubukas ng dalawang ruta, antimano, ngayong araw na ito," Tugade said, as he appealed for public understanding over the difficulties experienced by commuters on Monday.

"Ako ay humihingi ng paunawa at patawarin niyo kami, hindi namin kagustuhan ito," he said.

In a separate interview on Unang Hirit, Transportation Assistant Secretary for Planning and Project Development Giovanni Lopez said the opening of two more routes was agreed upon during a meeting on Monday night attended by officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

According to DOTr, the newly opened routes are part of the 31 rationalized routes for Metro Manila, which are set to open gradually under the GCQ.

The two new routes would mean more buses will be deployed to ferry passengers. Lopez said the LTFRB coordinated with bus operators to secure 510 city buses to operate along the Angat – Quezon Avenue route, and 151 units along the Dasmariñas – PITX route.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago said 40 buses were added on Commonwealth Avenue, which is part of Angat – Quezon Avenue route, as of Tuesday morning.

“As we monitor it ngayon, may mga buses naman pong dumarating. Pero hindi lang po ganun kabilis, na maisakay po lahat ng pasahero,” she said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

According to Lopez, some bus operators are still preparing their units to comply with the health standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during operation.

Some commuters struggled to go to work on Monday due to the limited capacity of public transport in Metro Manila, which transitioned from modified enhanced community quarantine to GCQ, allowing more businesses to open and employees to get back to work.

Asked about the possibility of allowing more public utility vehicles especially jeepneys to address the commuters’ struggle, Lopez said the government is still monitoring the situation.

“Sinusuri talaga natin ang sitwasyon sa lansangan. Kung kinakailangan naman po at talagang merong agarang obligasyon sa DOTr at LTFRB na maglagay at magbigay ng masasakyan ay tinitignan po natin ‘yan,” he said.

Tugade, meanwhile, said they are employing a "limited, gradual and calculated approach in providing tranportation" under GCQ.

The DOTr earlier said that the gradual resumption of public transportation will be made in two phases.

During the first phase from June 1 to 21, trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services, shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles will be in place.

Tricycles are allowed subject to the approval of the concerned local government unit, while provincial buses are still barred from entering and exiting Metro Manila during the period.

Meanwhile, the second phase will cover June 22 to 30, allowing public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) or jeepneys, and UV Express vehicles. --KBK, GMA news