Several public utility jeepney drivers appreciate the 70% increase in passenger capacity, but they appeal for lower oil prices.
“Nakakatulong na rin sa amin yun pero sana yung hinihiling namin na ibaba yung presyo ng produktong petrolyo para makhinga naman kami kahit papaano,” Marcos Barredo, one of the jeepney drivers, told “24 Oras weekend” report on Saturday.
(Increased capacity helps, but lower oil prices is much better for us.)
“Mas maganda kung sana eh mas napadali pa sana para magkaroon man sana tayo ng medyo kasayahan sa ating pamilya pagdating ng December. Halos nauuwi lang sa diesel kinikita namin eh,” Larry Osabel, another jeepney driver, said.
(The sooner the fuel price adjustment comes the better so we can have good income by December for our families. Diesel eats up a good part of our daily income.)
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 came 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 routes in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.
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.
According to Pasang Masda group, at least five more passengers can be added under the 70% seating capacity increase for PUJs.
“For example, 22 seaters, additional na mga five pasahero iyan eh. Kung may karagdagang tayong five pasahero, sa minimum fare na P9 that is already nine times five,” Obet Martin, president of Pasang Masda.
(For 22-seater jeepney, that is an additional five passengers. If we have an additional five passengers, at the minimum fare of P9 that is already nine times five.)
Passengers, however, expressed alarm that the increased seating capacity might spread COVID-19.
“Tulad ngayon dala ko anak ko delikado pa rin sa tingin ko” (For instance, I’m now with my child, I still think it is dangerous), one passenger said.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) its opposition for increased passenger capacity.
“Mahirap kasing tukuyin kung ang hawaan ba ay nangyari sa public transport dahil parang one moment lang eh no na sumakay ka, so hindi mo masabi na nahawa ka ba doon,” Health secretary Francisco Duque III said.
(It is difficult to determine if the infection takes place on public transport because it seems you only got on for one moment, so you cannot say if you got infected there.)
“Pero syempre, gusto natin maging maingat no. Ayaw nga natin na ito ay kumalat at sumipa muli ang mga kaso,” he added.
(But of course, we want to be careful. We really don’t want it to spread and the cases will increase again.)
The pilot run for the increase passenger capacity will begin on November 4. —LBG, GMA News
PUJ drivers favor 70% capacity boost, but want lower oil price
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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