The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will implement a 30-day pilot study of the gradual increase in passenger capacities in all forms of public transport in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
This comes after the government’s COVID-19 task force on Thursday approved the increase in operational capacity from the current 50% to 70% for public road-based and rail transportation plying the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.
The pilot run will begin on November 4.
Under the new scheme, traditional jeepney drivers will be allowed to accommodate an additional four to five passengers. Drivers of modern jeepneys can accommodate standing passengers.
For public utility buses, standing passengers will also be allowed, but the one-seat-apart policy remains.
Commuters are still required to observe health protocols such as wearing face masks and face shields.
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday, DOTr Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor said the DOTr’s push for increased passenger capacity was backed by foreign studies that found that public transport is not a vector for coronavirus transmission.
The DOTr also cited the high COVID-19 vaccination rate in the capital region.
It would be determined after the pilot study whether to raise the passenger capacity to 100%, Pastor said.
“The livelihood of public transport drivers and operators was severely affected with passenger capacity in public transport maintained at 50% due to previous pandemic restrictions,” the DOTr said in a statement.
“Increasing passenger capacity will mean higher revenue for the public transport sector, considering the increase in expenses brought by rising fuel prices.” — VBL, GMA News
DOTr sets 30-day pilot run of increased passenger capacity in public transport
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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