DOTr adjusts land transport programs as resumption of on-site classes draw near

Expecting a surge in passenger demand once face-to-face classes start, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that it is currently calibrating the existing land transport programs to serve commuters.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista ordered the continuous implementation of the Service Contracting Program (SCP) and Libreng Sakay Program as well as to fast-track the rationalization of public transport routes.

Further, the newly-appointed secretary also directed the department to do the following:

• Release the P1,000 fuel subsidy to the 617,806 qualified tricycle driver-beneficiaries based on the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) database,
• Deployment of all 550 buses in the EDSA Busway especially during rush hours,
• Availability of equity subsidy as down payment to help acquire modern public utility vehicles (PUV) under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

The department said that Bautista will be meeting with the bus consortium operating the EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) Carousel route and other concerned government agencies to ensure that there will be adequate buses to accommodate increased passenger demand following the upcoming resumption of on-site classes.

“We will coordinate our actions with concerned agencies such as the DepEd (Department of Education), CHED (Commission on Higher Education), MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), LTO  (Land Transportation Office), LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), PNP (Philippine National Police), AFP-NCR (Armed Forces of the Philippines-National Capital Region), DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), IACT (Interagency Council for Traffic) and others not under the DOTr,” Bautista said.

Dispelling public apprehension on the possible spike of COVID-19 cases when on-site classes start, Bautista said that based on studies conducted during the height of the pandemic, there is a low chance of virus transmission on public transport so long as drivers, operators and commuters strictly follow health and safety protocols.

Moreover, Bautista said that the agency is looking at accelerating the grant of franchise instead of permits for buses on critical routes used by students such as Katipunan, Commonwealth, and Recto Avenue.

Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV

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