Struggle still real for many commuters on second day of NCR GCQ

Some commuters still faced transportation woes on the second day of the implementation of general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila, according to Unang Balita reports.

Around 6 a.m., many commuters were stranded waiting for buses along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, according to Darlene Cay's report. Bus augmentation courtesy of the local government later arrived and picked up the workers.

In Bacoor, Cavite, many commuters, mostly workers going to Metro Manila, also waited for their rides for hours, according to a report of GMA news stringer Rossel Calderon.

While knowing that buses rarely pass the area, the commuters said they only took the chance hoping to get a ride to work. Some were reportedly forced to hitchhike.

Meanwhile, only few passengers were spotted at MRT North Avenue Station as some commuters went to the station early morning, according to James Agustin's report.

One of the passengers, Cita Adigue, woke up around 2 a.m. on Tuesday to prepare early for her commute. On Monday, she decided to go home due to transportation woes.

Of the 19 operational trains, only 17 are running at MRT3 as of Tuesday morning.

In Cubao in Quezon City, the traffic going to Ortigas were getting slow with the great volume of vehicles, according to a report of Jonathan Andal.

Some of the private vehicles were caught still using the innermost lanes, which are now designated as bus lanes.

On Monday, many commuters struggled to go to work on the first day of general community quarantine in Metro Manila, where more relaxed restrictions on businesses and mobility were being imposed.

However, the resumption of public transport will be "limited, gradual and calculated, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), which earlier said the 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