New jeepneys ply routes, but not enough drivers

MANILA, Philippines — At least 3,400 passenger buses and 1,500 modernized jeepneys were deployed yesterday during the second phase of gradual operations of commuter vehicles in Metro Manila under the general community quarantine (GCQ), but officials reported a shortage of drivers of modern jeepneys.

During the Laging Handa briefing yesterday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago said at least 15 routes were given to the modern jeepneys, and that 19 more routes would be added in the next days.

Asked about commuters’ complaints about the longer waiting time for jeepneys to arrive, Pialago said not all units could be deployed due to a shortage of drivers.

“The transport operators have raised their concerns about a shortage of drivers. Despite the number of routes or permits to travel, not all of their units could be deployed. Some drivers went home to the province and could not go back to Metro Manila. These are the challenges faced by the operators,” Pialago said in a separate radio interview.

Pialago said traditional jeepneys would only be deployed to augment the 1,500 modern jeepneys in case of shortage.

Before the quarantine, at least 55,000 traditional jeepneys plied the roads of Metro Manila.

Despite her claim of shortage of drivers, elsewhere in Metro Manila jobless jeepney drivers have resorted to asking for alms due to government’s refusal to deploy traditional jeepneys.

Elvi Formento, a jeepney driver in Mandaluyong City, said he has no other option but to go to the streets to beg for money.

“Mabigat po sa akin na mamalimos. Kinakain ko nalang buong pride ko. Paano na kami, wala nang makain (It is a difficult decision for me to beg, but I just swallow my pride. What will happen to us, we can’t buy food to eat),” Formento told radio station dzBB yesterday.

Pialago said the additional 3,400 commuter buses were deployed yesterday on top of the 1,200 buses earlier deployed during the first phase.

She said the buses were given 31 routes all over Metro Manila, from 96 routes before the pandemic.

The buses would operate with only 50 percent passenger capacity to comply with social distancing guidelines.

A bus route called “Edsa carousel” was also opened and was dedicated to the innermost lane of Edsa with four stations in North, Quezon, Ayala and Taft avenues pending the construction of center islands for more bus bays, Pialago said.

Before the pandemic, there were 4,000 city buses and 8,000 provincial buses in Metro Manila, the MMDA had said. Provincial buses are still not allowed under GCQ.

The MMDA will also build a protected bicycle lane along Edsa to accommodate those biking to work.

Buses were more visible in the highways, but passengers decried the lack of modern jeepneys that could have alleviated the waiting time for rides to work.

While the outcome of yesterday’s morning rush hour was somehow better than the past weeks as the second phase of the government’s public transport resumption commenced, some commuters have expressed their preference for the traditional jeepneys and UV Express vehicles that were still barred from operating.

Alberto Suansing, Department of Transportation (DOTr) road sector senior consultant, admitted that modern jeepneys were not enough to break the lack of transportation in Metro Manila, which has forced hundreds to bike or even walk to work.

“If we’re going to talk about routes here in Metro Manila, the number of modern jeepneys will not be enough, that’s why we are preparing even the UV Expresses for use and the traditional jeepneys,” Suansing told GMA News.

The government deferred the return of jeepneys and UV Express as quarantine restrictions were eased earlier this month to prioritize public utility vehicles (PUV) that have higher carrying capacities, considering the passenger limit enforced to prevent the spread of the virus.

The DOTr earlier explained that passengers are at risk in traditional jeepneys due to difficulties in enforcing health protocols inside the vehicles. Malacañang, however, earlier said “roadworthy” traditional jeepneys will be allowed to ply roads if modern units are not enough to accommodate the volume of commuters.

Suansing said the DOTr only wanted to make sure that public health would not be compromised once the government allows UV Express and traditional jeepneys to ply their routes.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said traditional jeepneys could be allowed to operate again if access to transportation remains difficult despite the resumption of the operations of trains, buses, modern jeepneys and other modes of mass transport.

Roque said the government would follow the hierarchy of public transport modes, wherein traditional jeepneys are located at the bottom because of difficulties in observing safe distancing.

“The hierarchy of public transport will be observed. We will use first the modern PUVs (public utility vehicles), then UV Express, and then the traditional jeepney. We will wait for the full deployment of modern PUVs before the UV Express. Once fully deployed and the supply is still lacking, we (would) consider deploying traditional jeepneys,” Roque said at a press briefing yesterday.

“Do not worry because the convenience of riders will be the primary consideration of LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board),” he added.
Asked whether traditional jeepneys would no longer be allowed to resume operations if there is enough means of transportation, Roque replied: “I think so if there is enough. But LTFRB is still assessing if there would be enough once we remove the traditional jeepneys.”

Jeepneys have been barred from plying roads since the government imposed quarantine measures last March, forcing some drivers to beg. The government has unveiled a P205-billion aid program that provides financial assistance to drivers and other sectors affected by the lockdown.

More taxis

The LTFRB has allowed more than 41,000 taxis and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units to resume operations amid the general community quarantine in Metro Manila.

The agency said that 1,900 units were added to the current number of taxis and TNVS units operating in Metro Manila yesterday, bringing the total to 41,469. The latest figure consisted of 22,230 units of TNVS and 19,409 of taxis.

Following the resumption of operations, the LTFRB said that there will be no fare increase for TNVS and taxis and only cashless transactions would be allowed in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The LTFRB has also urged operators and drivers to follow health protocols like wearing face masks and proper seating capacity in compliance with the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and the DOTr.

Senators urged yesterday concerned agencies to provide more options of public transportation to relieve commuters, lessen travel time, and help reduce the risk of transmission of the new coronavirus.

Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, urged the MMDA, DOTr and local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce health protocols in public utility vehicles.

Poe said safety and well-being “should be a top-of-mind matter” as more transit options become available.

“Our commuters, drivers and enforcers should not forsake social distancing, wearing face mask, regular disinfection and other protocols against COVID-19,” she said.

“Let’s make each trip safe, and make sure that all get home without being infected,” the senator said.

Public transportation should complement the increasing number of economic activities so as not to leave the burden on commuting workers, Poe said. Paolo Romero, Alexis Romero, Neil Jayson Servallos, Christian Imperio

Related video: