DOTr seeks to restore city bus routes before the NCR pandemic │ GMA News Online

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is trying to revive routes for city buses in Metro Manila in time for the reopening of schools on August 22.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Cheloy Garafil said the agency recommended the reinstatement of pre -pandemic bus routes that mostly go to the university belt to other schools (to the university belt and other schools). ”

Garafil said the city’s bus routes, specifically those that do not cross the EDSA, make up about 30% of the total pre-pandemic routes.

Transportation Undersecretary for Road and Transport Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said the available public transportation is adequate “on the condition that operators deploy 90% of their PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) units.”

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista called on various relevant government agencies to clarify the issues and problems facing the transportation sector, and offer solutions to provide an “accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe travel experience”. to students in preparation for the transition to face-to-face classes in August.

The inter-agency meeting was attended by officials of DOTr, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Land Transportation Office (LTO), LTFRB, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA),

Light Rail Manila Corp., Philippine National Police – National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), Metro Rail Transit 3, Philippine National Railways (PNR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP).

“We talked with VP Sara (I and Vice President Sara Duterte discussed) after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that there is really need for different agencies to meet and discuss problems and possible solutions, which we will encounter when face-to-face classes. start in August, ”said Bautista.

“We need to work together to provide an accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe travel experience for the passengers, especially the students,” he added.

(We need to work together to provide an accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe travel experience for passengers, especially students.)

In addition to the resumption of city bus routes, the DOTr Road Sector, has recommended the following:

  • Improve the deployment of public utility vehicle (PUV) units by formulating and mandating compliance with Service Plans (peak hour deployment at 90% to 100% of authorized PUVs)
  • Opening of additional routes that may be deemed necessary
  • Rapid monitoring of fare evaluation and evaluation of non-operational routes, and introduction of development routes
  • Offers free ride for students on LRT2 and EDSA Busway
  • And extending for another two years the life span of school services to reach the 15-year maximum limit in December 2022

The MMDA, for its part, will deploy 2,238 personnel on major roads and within high-density schools in Metro Manila with 581 traffic enforcers to be sent to 148 schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) for continuation. of classes.

A total of four MMDA buses and two (military trucks are also deployed for free ride to assist the public who travel daily.

On the other hand, the Pasig River Service operated by MMDA will also offer free rides for commuters from Monday to Saturday within its 13 stations. —NB, GMA News