Transport coalition bats for more jeepneys

MANILA, Philippines — A transport coalition on Tuesday urged government officials to reconsider the number of jeepneys allowed back in the streets as it estimated that 10 million trips remain underserved two months since Metro Manila relaxed quarantine protocols.

In a statement, the MoveAsOne coalition — composed of over 170 transport and commuter organizations, as well as legal and public health experts — said the lack of available public transportation meant that 10 million trips were being undertaken through walking or cycling.

The figure is based on a Japan International Cooperation Agreement study on greater Metro Manila that showed that jeepneys accounted for 39 percent of all public transport, or 6.8 million trips.

Allowing 55,000 jeepneys back on the road, it said, “would reduce the number by at least 5 million trips.”

The coalition also urged the Department of Transportation to “provide clarity on the guidelines for jeepney operators and drivers with regard to when they would be allowed to resume operations.”Transport leaders noted that not all 6,002 jeepneys allowed to resume operations have returned to work as the mandatory 50-percent passenger capacity meant lower earnings.

“This would help out not only the transport workers, but also the Filipino commuting public, many of whom rely on public transport,” it said.