LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III speaks to senators during an online hearing, May 11, on the resumption of public transport to restore mobility and livelihood while observing social distancing measures and other health and safety protocols under the “new normal” system brought about by the coronavirus epidemic. (Senate PRIB/Screen grab)
MANILA, Philippines — Starting May 18, there will be a “new and better normal” on Edsa, in preparation for the transition to the general community quarantine (GCQ).
During the hearing of the Senate committee on public services on Monday, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra if now is the right time to rationalize the bus routes as earlier reported by the media, considering the low volume of public utility buses (PUBs) passing through Edsa.
“The answer to that question is absolutely yes. Not only on the short term, but even on the immediate term… our answer earlier is that, absolutely yes, starting May 18. That would be short and direct answer po,” Delgra said.
Transport officials earlier said they will allow only “a single bus route dedicated to Edsa” out of 61 existing routes once quarantine rules are relaxed after May 15 as part of efforts to streamline bus operations,
At present, there are 96 bus routes in Metro Manila, 61 of which pass through Edsa. The government is planning to reduce this to 29 as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon is set to end on May 15.
However, it has yet to decide whether to extend or not the ECQ, or just place certain areas under the GCQ amid the continuing threats of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Under ECQ, mass public transportation has been suspended but partial operations have been allowed in areas placed under GCQ.
“We are rationalizing the bus routes into 29 routes. I would like to emphasize Edsa because Edsa is a main corridor,” Delgra explained.
“Ibig pong sabihin nito, it does not start or end at Edsa. At whichever point in Edsa. It passes through Edsa and that’s the reason why it’s a daily picture that we see na yung traffic congestion lalong lalo na sa mga buses makikita natin sa daan and therefore the need for increased efficiency,” he added.
(This means that it does not start or end at Edsa. At whichever point in Edsa. It passes through Edsa, and that’s the reason why it’s a daily picture that we see traffic congestion specially on buses and therefore the need for increased efficiency.)
“That’s why we are looking at a system now where there would be a dedicated Edsa bus service where all the other bus routes coming from wherever— north, south, east, southeast, southwest—will now converge into Edsa as the main corridor. Yan po ang plano na nailatag ng DOTr (Department of Transportation) at LTFRB again in consultation with the other concerned agencies,” the LTFRB chief added.