Allow jeepneys back on the road, no talking to stop virus spread – Trillanes

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) must now be allowed to serve commuters who, however, should be discouraged from talking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said Tuesday.

“Talking while inside public transportation (PUJ, PUB, MRT, taxis, etc) should be discouraged to minimize further the spread of the virus,”  Trillanes said in a statement on  Tuesday.

While mass transportation  is now allowed to operate  in areas under GCQ with reduced passenger capacity,  PUJs are still prohibited from resuming operations

READ: DOTr bares 2 phases of public transport revival in GCQ areas

Trillanes branded this  prohibition on the  use of PUJs as “very  unfortunate.”

“This would surely be disastrous and extremely inconvenient for hundreds of thousands of commuters who would be stranded,” he said as he noted  the expected  increase in the movement of goods and labor following the government’s decision to   open up  the economy while  dealing with the  coronavirus pandemic.

READ: Chaos as thousands return to work in Metro Manila

“True, some claim they are unsightly, antiquated and accident-prone vehicles, but for the moment, there is simply no other alternative for commuters,”  the former senator added.

Trillanes   recognized that social distancing  inside PUJs is impossible but pointed out that “most countries that  have successfully contained the virus also did not practice social distancing inside their public transportation for the same reason that it was impossible to do so.”

“The subways and MRTs now in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hongkong are just as packed by people during rush hour as before the pandemic. Also, airlines are still seating passengers the same way as before,”  he said.

“The only noticeable change is the mandatory use of face masks, which is already being practiced here in our country.”

The former senator then proposed that  once PUJ operations are allowed,  drivers  must be  required  to wear  masks and gloves.

PUJs, he said, must  also have conductors  to collect the fare and spray alcohol on the hands of the passengers before boarding. The   conductors  should likewise be required to wear masks and gloves.

GSG