LIBRENG SAKAY / JUNE 15, 2022 Commuters avail of a free ride shuttle from Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange to Buendia. —RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday proposed its plans to ensure a “safe and efficient” experience for the commuting public, particularly for students who are set to return to in-person classes five days a week on November 2.
DOTr chief Jaime Bautista called a meeting with various concerned agencies to discuss existing transportation problems and draft plans that will provide commuters with secure and ample public transportation.
“Kailangan magtulong-tulong tayo para mabigyan natin ng accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe travel experience ang mananakay, lalong lalo na ang mga estudyante,” Bautista said in a statement.
(We must work together to provide an accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe travel experience for passengers, especially the students.)
DOTr Undersecretary for Road and Transport Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor also noted that Bautista had ordered the department’s road sector to “ramp up our plans and initiatives to ensure the safe and efficient service in public transportation amid the increase in passenger demand.”
“Hindi lamang supply ang ating concern, but also the students’ safety,” he added.
(The supply is not our only concern, but also the students’ safety.)
The road sector recommended the following measures:
- Improving deployment of public utility vehicles (PUVs) by establishing and enforcing compliance to Service Plans. Operators should deploy 90 to 100 percent of their authorized PUVs during peak hours;
- Opening of additional routes as may be deemed necessary, including the reinstatement of pre-pandemic city bus routes, particularly those not passing through EDSA;
- Fast-tracking of a fare review;
- Evaluating non-operational routes and introducing developmental routes;
- Offering the ‘Libreng Sakay’ program for students on rail lines and EDSA Busway; and,
- Extending for another two years, the life span of school services that have reached a 15-year maximum limit by December 2022
Meanwhile, as part of the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) preparation, the agency said it would deploy 2,238 personnel along major roads and within high-density schools in Metro Manila. A total of 581 traffic enforcers will likewise be dispatched to 148 schools in the capital region.
According to the agency, four MMDA buses and two military trucks are being deployed for free rides. From Mondays through Saturdays, its Pasig River Service will similarly offer rides without charge along its 13 stations.
The DOTr earlier bared its initial programs ahead of the expected resumption of in-person classes, including the continued implementation of the Service Contracting Program (SCP), Libreng Sakay Program, and the fast-tracking of the rationalization of public transport routes. – Nicole Faye Agcaoili, INQUIRER.net intern
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