Gov’t must ensure availability of more PUVs ahead of face to face classes — Poe

(LYN RILLON / INQUIRER)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Friday said the government should increase the current fleet of public utility vehicles ahead of the full face-to-face classes in November.

“It is crucial that we promptly augment the current fleet of available public transport to adequately serve our commuters,” Poe, who is the chairperson of the senate committee on public services, said in a statement.

Poe noted that due to limited public utility vehicles (PUVs) in selected routes and inner-city roads without means of transportation, many have been forced to go on a “hop-on hop-off’ style and shell out more for fares.

This, she said, is a “crystal clear” reason to immediately activate more PUVs.

Senator Grace Poe (INQUIRER file photo)

Commuter advocate Move As One coalition has warned that by 2030, the transport supply shortage in Metro Manila will be as high as 2.8 million daily passenger trips.

 The UP School of Urban and Regional Planning has also said  that 70 percent of people rely on public transportation while 30 percent rely on private vehicles.

“The daily scenes of long lines in terminals, seemingly perpetual wait and jockeying for a ride speak of the palpable lack of accessible transportation,” Poe said.

“We must not leave the fate of our commuters up in the air,” she added.

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