LOOK: More buses, no modern jeepneys along Commonwelth Avenue

Commuters wait for public transportation units along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City nonday morning, June 22, 2020.  While public utility buses were available, the absence of modern jeepneys was noticed. (Photos by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Commuters now have more options as modern jeepneys were allowed to resume operations in Metro Manila on Monday.

Most commuters along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, however, took the bus instead due to the lack of modern jeepney units.

Fernando Cenizal, traffic enforcer of Quezon City’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), said he has yet to see a modern jeepney along Commonwealth Avenue.

“Wala pa, wala pa. Kasi parang ang nadidinig ko, inoorganize pa kung saan sila kinakailangan pumick up, kung saan sila kailangan magbaba,” Cenizal said in an interview with INQUIRER.net, when asked if he has spotted a modern jeepney already.

(Not yet, not yet. From what I’ve heard, where they should pick up and drop off passengers are still being organized.)

“Modernized jeep, wala pa akong nakikita e,” another traffic enforcer said.

(Modernized jeep? I have yet to see one.)

Some 300 modern jeepneys were allowed to operate in 15 Metro Manila routes starting Monday.

Malacañang, over the weekend said the jeepneys will be supplemented by 3,600 buses to ferry commuters to their destinations.

Under the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) second phase of public transport revival, public utility buses (PUBs), modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) and UV Express will be permitted to operate with limited passenger capacity starting June 22.

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