UV Express units not yet allowed on roads on Monday —DOTr consultant

The deployment of UV Express units on Monday will not push through since the routes are still being determined by the Department of Transportation, DOTr road sector consultant Alberto Suansing said on Sunday.

"Hindi pa natin papatakbuhin bukas ang mga UV Express dahil inaayos pa natin ang kanilang ruta," Suansing said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Engr. Suansing: Hindi pa natin papatakbuhin bukas ang mga UV Express dahil inaayos pa natin ang kanilang ruta. Mga modern jeepney, identified na ang mga ruta nila at maaari na silang tumakbo bukas. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 20, 2020

He said UV Express units should operate point-to-point.

Engr. Suansing: Ang UV Express, point-to-point po dapat 'yan. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 20, 2020

Modern jeepneys, however, will be allowed to go on the road on Monday, he said.

"Mga modern jeepeney, identified na ang mga ruta nila at maari na silang tumakbo bukas," Suansing said.

The DOTr earlier said around 3,600 buses and 1,500 modern jeepneys and UV Express units will be allowed on Monday on Metro Manila's roads.

Suansing said from 28 routes, 31 routes will be opened for buses.

“Lahat ng 31 routes na identified ng LTFRB ay may tatakbo na bus doon,” he said.

“'Yung ruta na 'yan, 'yung iba dyan is dati tinatakbuhan ng mga jeep. So pinatatakbuhan na natin ng bus ngayon,” he added.

However, Suansing said traditional jeepneys are still not allowed on the roads on Monday. But he said they are also identifying their routes now.

According to Suansing, the Inter-Agency Task Force is still deliberating if they will allow back riding on motorcycles.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday said the government may soon allow back-riding in motorcycles as concerned agencies are working on safety protocols to lessen the possibility of transmitting COVID-19 in this mode of transportation.

Mass public transportation was disallowed in mid-March when President Rodrigo Duterte placed Luzon under enhanced community quarantine to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Public transportation was gradually resumed since June 1 on a calibrated basis.

According to DOTr, the gradual resumption of public transportation under the general community quarantine is in two phases. The first phase—where trains, bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services, shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles are allowed—is from June 1 to 21.

Under the second phase starting June 22 to 30, public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) or jeepneys, and UV Express vehicles will be allowed.

Transport modes allowed under Phase 2 will operate alongside those allowed during Phase 1, the DOTr said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News