PUJs may no longer be allowed once transport modes are enough

He, however, explained that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is still reviewing whether or not to allow traditional jeepneys from plying the roads. (File Photo courtesy of DOTr/PNA photo)

MANILA – Traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) may no longer be allowed to resume operations if other modes of public transport will be enough to service commuters, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that since more transport options will be made available in the second phase of the resumption of public transport, there may no longer be a need for traditional PUJs.

He, however, explained that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is still reviewing whether or not to allow traditional jeepneys from plying the roads.

“Tingin ko po. Kung sapat. Pero ina-asses nga po ng LTFRB kung magiging sapat alisin ang mga traditional jeepneys (I think so. If there is enough public transport, but the LTFRB is still assessing if there will be enough transport if we remove traditional jeepneys),” he said in a virtual presser.

For areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), such as Metro Manila, Roque said transport modes with higher passenger capacity will be prioritized such as trains, buses, and modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) as long as as minimum health standards are observed.

He said that since PUJs and UV Express vans are at the bottom of the transport hierarchy, which means they can service fewer passengers, they will only be allowed once the existing transport modes continue to be insufficient.

“Ang number one prayoridad ng gobyerno yung mananakay. Kung kulang po ang mga pampublikong sasakyan, pursuant to the hierarchy of bus, modern PUVs, papayagan naman po ang jeepneys at UV Express (The number one priority of the government are the commuters. If there is a lack of public transport, pursuant to the hierarchy of bus, modern PUVs, we may allow jeepneys and UV Express),” he said.

To date, Roque said the LTFRB and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) are closely studying the possibility of allowing provincial buses to resume operations.

The LTFRB has allowed at least 308 modern PUJs to operate in Metro Manila while UV Express vans are expected to resume operations within the month, he added.

Roque also questioned the claim of the Ibon Foundation that traditional jeepneys with natural ventilation were much safer than modern PUJs which are enclosed and could further spread coronavirus.

“Ang ordinaryong mamamayan po alam naman po na kapag harapan ang upuan ay talagang mas mataas yung tyantsa na magkahawaan kesa kung lahat ay nakaharap sa isang direksyon lamang (Ordinary citizens know that if you face each other, there is a higher chance of contamination compared to if you face only one direction),” he said.

Meanwhile, Roque urged the public to continue to observe safe physical distancing and accomplish personal health forms for contract tracing during their commute.

Only private back-riding allowed

After announcing that the IATF has approved back-riding on motorcycles “in principle”, Roque clarified that this only refers to private back-riding and not motorcycle-hailing services such as Singaporean-owned Angkas.

Roque said the IATF-EID has ordered the departments of Transportation, Science and Technology, and Health; the Metro Manila Development Authority; and the Bureau of Philippine Standards to look for the “safest and effective” manner to ensure the safe back-riding amid the outbreak.

“IATF is studying back-riding of private motorcycles only, subject to health and safety protocols. Kaya po walang Angkas at ibang motorcycle taxi service dahil wala po silang prangkisa (That’s why Angkas and other motorcycle taxi services are not allowed because they don’t have a franchise),” he said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that motorcycle-hailing services will be deemed illegal unless Congress crafts a law that would allow them as a mode of public transport.

Earlier, DOTr allowed Angkas to operate motorcycle taxis from June 2019 on a pilot study basis.

The public should also consider adding innovations or contraptions such as the proposal of Bohol Governor Arthur Yap to install a hard plastic shield between the motorcycle driver and the passenger to make back-riding safer, Roque said.