DOTr issues public transport guidelines in NCR during ECQ

MRT enforces social distancing during the community quarantine. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) released Tuesday the public transportation guidelines to be implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR) once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) takes effect on August 6.

According to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, public transportation is still available during the ECQ period but only Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs), as identified by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), shall be accommodated.

“Restrictions will be applied on passengers. There will be stricter enforcement to ensure that only APORs are permitted to use public transport, as mandated by the IATF,” Tugade said in a statement.

“APORs are reminded to be ready to present to transport marshals identification cards issued by the IATF or other documents or IDs as proof that they are authorized to travel,” he added.

Here are the public transportation guidelines in the NCR during the ECQ period, according to the DOTr:

Road sector

The DOTr said public utility vehicles, such as buses and jeepneys, can operate at 50 percent capacity on a “one-seat-apart” setup.

Standing passengers will also not be allowed and only one passenger can sit at the driver’s row.

For tricycles, the DOTr said passenger load shall not exceed one passenger in the side car. Their operations of tricycles shall also be approved by the Department of Interior and Local Government and their respective local government units.

The DOTr added that motorcycle taxi services and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) are also allowed to operate as long as public health protocols are observed.

Railway sector

For the railway sector, the DOTr said all Philippine National Railways, LRT-1, LRT-2, and the MRT-3 trains will be operational, with transport marshals deployed to ensure that passengers are APORs and minimum public health standards are followed.

Passengers are required to wear face shields and masks at all times and shall comply with the ‘no talking and eating’ as well as the social distancing policy.

Temperature checks will be done at station entrances and passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to board trains, said the DOTr.

Aviation and maritime sector

The DOTr said domestic flights and sea travel in the NCR will also continue during the ECQ, subject to community quarantine restrictions of the destinations.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the proposal of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and mayors to place Metro Manila under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20, 2021.

EDV