Over 200 PUVs flagged on 1st day of 70% seating capacity in NCR

In this photo taken on September 8, 2020, passengers wearing face shields sit next to plastic dividers, as part of health protocols imposed by authorities on passenger jeepneys against the COVID-19 coronavirus in Manila. (AFP file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic authorities flagged over 200 public utility vehicles (PUVs) on the first day of the implementation of the 70-percent transport capacity rule in Metro Manila, the chief of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (IACT) said Saturday.

Manuel Gonzales, I-ACT chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns, said most of the PUVs flagged were at Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

“Sa unang araw pa lang ng pilot implementation ng 70 percent seating capacity rule ay nakapagtala ang IACT ng higit na 200 PUVs na napara, especially sa Commonwealth kasi ‘yan ang kadalasan maraming PUV,” he said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

(On the first day of the pilot implementation of the 70-percent seating capacity rule, the IACT recorded over 200 PUVs that were flagged, especially at Commonwealth Avenue where there are many PUVs.)

“Karamihan dito, punuan talaga. Iba pa nga ang may mga nakatayo na nasita ng mga enforcers natin na mahigpit nating ipinagbabawal simula noong pinayagan ang public transport sa lansangan,” he added.

(Most of the vehicles flagged were overloaded. Some passengers were even standing which is strictly not allowed ever since we allowed the resumption of public transport.)

Gonzales said that drivers of the PUVs flagged on the first day of implementation were just given a warning and reminded by traffic authorities to maintain the 70 percent seating capacity.

The increase in passenger capacity of PUVs in Metro Manila started on Thursday, the same day that curfew in the region was lifted.

/MUF