After a two-week suspension under the modified enhanced community quarantine, public mass transportation will now resume as Metro Manila and neighboring provinces shifts to general community quarantine (GCQ) effective Wednesday, Aug. 19.
In a statement released by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the government affirmed the readiness of the railways sector and various public utility vehicle (PUV) operators to serve commuters once Metro Manila shifts to GCQ.
Deployment of rail and wheeled transport
For the rail lines, the MRT-3 will dispatch 16 Czech-built CKD train sets and 2 China-built Dalian train sets daily, while LRT-1 will deploy 24 train sets for the morning and evening peak hours with 18 train sets running during off-peak hours. The LRT Line 2 will have 5 trains sets daily, while the Philippine National Railways (PNR) has 10 train sets per day.
To complement train services, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) allowed an additional 4,498 traditional jeeps in 60 routes, on top of the 7,945 authorized traditional jeeps in 66 routes as of July 29. In addition, 716 modern jeeps will be operating in 45 routes.
For UV Express, an additional 4 routes with 641 units have been authorized bringing to 1,621 the total number of authorized UV Express units plying 51 routes.
There will also be 3,662 public utility buses (PUBs) that will help ferry commuters in 31 routes across Metro Manila while 364 units for Point-to-Point (P2P) buses will run in 33 routes.
As for taxis, 20,493 units will be available to transport passengers once more; along with 23,776 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units that will ply Metro Manila.
DOTr issues health and safety reminders
As public transport services resume, the DOTr reminds the riding public that strict health and safety protocols will be enforced to help curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All forms of transport will operate at a reduced seating capacity in compliance with social distancing measures. Passengers must follow the designated markings in all PUV terminals, stations and onboard PUVs and trains. A “No face mask and no face shield, no ride” policy shall be strictly enforced in all modes of transport. Train marshals and law enforcers will guide and ensure that the protocols are being observed.
Aside from regular sanitation and disinfection procedures like footbaths, available wash stations and hand sanitation supplies, passengers will also have to undergo temperature checks and accomplish contact tracing/health declaration forms before entering the rail stations and terminals.
Inside the trains, passengers are reminded to refrain from talking and using cell phones and other communications devices to avoid the spread of respiratory droplets which may carry the virus.
For its part, transport authorities will also implement strict health and safety measures such as the wearing of full personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline employees. Rail line employees will also have to undergo COVID-19 testing before returning to work, as well as daily symptoms check. Employees who will show any COVID-19 symptom will be immediately placed in quarantine.
Every half-loop, trains will be disinfected. For PUV units, disinfection will be after every trip or every 2 hours. There will also be regular disinfection of frequently touched surfaces in stations and terminals, and onboard trains and PUV units. Use of contactless/online payment systems will also be encouraged.