Transport strike has minimal effect to commuters in NCR: MMDA

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)  (Photo: MMDA/ Facebook)

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Monday the “transport strike” staged by transport groups opposing the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program had a minimal effect on the commuters.

This is due to the suspension of classes in all levels and government work, Edward Gonzales, MMDA Rescue Emergency Group head said.

He said that several local government units (LGUs) have also provided buses and vehicles for the affected commuters.

Gonzales said only 27 of the 74 government and private vehicles they have prepared were used to ferry affected passengers.

“Only .011 percent out of 10 million commuters was affected,” said Gonzales adding the strike had no effect to Metro Manila’s transportation.

According to Gonzales, most of the passengers ferried were going to work to private offices.

“Passengers were picked up from Araneta, Quezon City going to Quiapo and Cubao and routes from Sta. Ana to Faura and from Baclaran to Sucat from 7:42 a.m. to 9:38 a.m.,” said Gonzales.

The MMDA designated six areas for free rides, which include Commonwealth Avenue, Luneta Grandstand, Orense Guadalupe, SM Marikina, MCU and HK Plaza.

The number coding scheme was suspended for public and private vehicles due to transport strike.

MMDA said light to moderate traffic was experienced by motorists passing along moajor thoroughfares.

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) on Monday launched a two-day transport strike nationwide to protest the government’s program to modernize jeepneys which they claimed would eventually lead to the phase out of old PUVs.

The modernization program aims to modernize the fleet of jeepneys plying the road though a low carbon and low emission vehicle technology.

The government will impose a 15-year age limit on PUJs, even as PUJ units covered by recently-issued certificates of public convenience must be totally brand new and compliant with other prescribed guidelines.