Dagdag na buses at e-jeepneys pinayagan ng bumalik sa operasyon

May 3,400 passenger buses at 3, 500 na modernized jeepneys ang pinayagan ng bumalik sa operasyon sa second phase ng gradual operations ng mga commuter vehicles sa Metro Manila sa ilalim ng general community quarantine (GCQ).

Sinabi ni Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago na nagbukas ng 15 bagong routes ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) para sa e-jeepneys at mag dadagdag pa ng panibagong 19 routes sa darating na mga araw.

“The transport operators have raised their concerns about a shortage of drivers. Despite the number of routes or permits to travel, not all of their unit could be deployed. Some drivers went home to the province and could not go back in Metro Manila. These are the challenges faced by the operators,” wika ni Pialago

Ayon din sa MMDA, ang mga traditional jeepneys ay papayagan lamang na tumakbong muli kung may kakulangan pasa 1,500 na modern jeepneys. Bago mag quarantine, may higit kumulang na 55,000 na traditional jeepneys ang pumapasada sa Metro Manila

Ang 3,400 commuter buses ay dinagdag sa dating 1,200 buses na nauna ng pumasada noong unang phase.

Samantala, binigyan ang mga buses ng karagdagang 31 routes mula sa 96 routes bago pa man magkaroon ng pandemic.

Papayagan ang mga buses na magkaroon lamang ng 50 percent passenger capacity upang mapanatili ang social distancing.

“A bus route called EDSA carousel was also opened and was dedicated to the innermost lane of EDSA with four stations in North, Quezon, Ayala, and Taft avenues pending the construction of center islands for more bus bays,” dagdag ni Pialago.

Bago pa ang pandemic ay mayron ng 4,000 city buses at 8,000 na provincial buses ang pumapasada sa Metro Manila. Ang mga provincial buses ay hindi pa rin pinapayagang bumalik sa operasyon.

Ayon naman sa mga pasahero, ang mga buses ay sa mga highways lamang kung kaya’t nagrereklamo ang maraming pasahero sa kakulangan ng mga modern jeepneys na siyang nagiging dahilan upang matagalan ang kanilang paghihintay.

“If we are going to talk about routes here in Metro Manila, the number of modern jeepneys will not be enough, that’s why we are preparing even the UV Express for use and traditional jeepneys in the coming days,” sabi ni Department of Transportation (DOTr) consultant Alberto Suansing.

Samantala, mayroon namang 41,000 na taxis at transport network vehicle service (TNVS) ang pinayagan na ring bumalik sa operasyon ngayon GCQ.

“1,900 units were added to the current number of taxis and TNVS units operating in Metro Manila yesterday, bringing the total to 41,469. The latest figure consisted of 22,230 units of TNVS and 19,409 taxis,” ayonsa LTFRB.

Wala namang fare increase sa pamasahe para sa TNVS at taxis subalit kailangan cashless transactions lamang ang pinapayagan. (LASACMAR)