LTFRB reminds passengers to follow health protocols in public transportation

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III on Saturday reminded the public to follow standard health protocols while riding public transportation to avoid transmission of COVID-19.

In an interview on Dobol B TV, Delgra admitted that it is “quite a challenge” for passengers to strictly adhere to these protocols especially when paying their fares.

“Paalala lang po na, that has to be the rule sa pagbabayad ng pamasahe, it should be before or 'di kaya pagkatapos mo sumakay ibibigay mo diretso sa driver ang pamasahe,” Delgra said.

(Just a reminder to the public that their fares should be given directly to the driver before or after they ride the vehicle. That has to be the rule.)

“Gusto nga natin may one seat apart at malayo. Eh doon naman sa pera magkakahawaan, mahirap naman,” he added.

(We are maintaining the one-seat apart rule to avoid transmission but there’s still a risk if the passengers are passing on the money.)

Delgra said 80% of the public transportation remains operational and they are still looking for more routes to be opened.

In his Thursday night public address, President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metro Manila and nearby provinces Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna or the National Capital Region Plus under general community quarantine "with heightened restrictions" from May 15 until May 31, 2021.

Under the GCQ with “heightened restrictions,” public transportation shall remain operational at such capacities and protocols in accordance with the Department of Transportation guidelines while the use of active transportation shall be promoted.

On Friday, the Department of Health reported 6,784 fresh COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 1,131,467. —KG, GMA News