Some modern jeepneys and buses were allowed to ply Cebu City since it eased into modified general community quarantine on Sept. 1, prompting city officials to let traditional jeepneys go back to the streets and serve the public. Photo by DALE ISRAEL/INQUIRER VISAYAS
CEBU CITY –– Some public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in this city will be allowed to ply again about eight months since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restricted movements.
Mayor Edgardo Labella issued on Tuesday an executive order stipulating the guidelines for the operation of PUJs.
He said there would be a gradual “Balik Pasada Program” for select PUJ routes in the city.
“If the operations are effective, then other routes will likewise be opened later,” Labella said.
When Cebu City eased into modified general community quarantine on Sept. 1, public transport was allowed using modern jeepneys and buses only.
Many commuters, however, decried the lack of public transportation, prompting the city government to allow the operation of traditional jeepneys.
As of Tuesday, at least 1,355 PUJs are being evaluated by the local traffic board, the Land Transportation Office, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to determine if they complied with the requirements.
Cebu City has about 5,000 registered jeepneys.
Some of them will be allowed on the streets as long as they follow the minimum health standards, including physical distancing via a one-seat-apart scheme for passengers.
Passengers will also be mandated to wear face masks and face shields while fare has to be paid before boarding. There will also be no talking and eating while onboard the jeepneys.
Labella also required hand sanitation systems in PUJs while the driver shall undergo COVID-19 testing.
Local health officials have already announced that Cebu City has “flattened the curve” after it saw a surge of COVID-19 cases last June.
As of Monday, Cebu City has a total of 10,267 COVID-19 cases but only 150 were active, according to the Department of Health in Central Visayas.
Since the start of November, the city has registered only one new COVID-19 case.