BUS SERVICES | Transport operator group calls for restoring all of Manila’s pre-pandemic routes

July 18, 2022 , 09:54 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(July 18, 2022) – A group of transport operators on Monday urged the government to bring back all the pre-pandemic routes in Metro Manila, as the national capital region is expected to see even more traffic congestion amid plans to fully return face-to-face classes in schools.

Juliet de Jesus of Samahan ng mga Transport Operators ng Pilipinas said the “rationalized routes” that started during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused more stress to students due to a need to take more rides than before to reach their schools.

“Ito pong nangyari sa amin ay hindi po pwede dumiretso ang isang estudyante kundi sakay-baba, sakay-baba, sakay-baba po ang nangyayari kung sila ay magpupunta sa kanilang mga paaralan,” De Jesus said on CignalTV’s One PH channel’s program “Sa Totoo Lang.”

Last week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said that there are plans to return the pre-pandemic city bus routes that mostly pass along the university belt and other schools.

LTFRB chair Cheloy Garafil said the city bus routes, particularly those that do not traverse EDSA, make up about 30% of the pre-pandemic routes.

Mass transportation in Luzon was suspended at the start of the pandemic lockdowns in March 2020 but restrictions were later eased to allow for some travel, albeit with “rationalized” routes to enforce social distancing.

Last week, transport advocacy group The Passenger Forum (TPF) said the public transportation in the country’s metropolitan areas is not yet prepared for the anticipated surge in demand from the full resumption of face-to-face classes.

De Jesus said bringing back just 30% of the pre-pandemic routes is not enough.

“Noong panahon na wala pong pandemic at hindi pa kami nira-rationalize, wala pong problema ang balik-eskwela. Kahit saan iyan, mayroon pong transport provider, kahit anong lugar within Metro Manila hanggang probinsya,” De Jesus said.

“Ngayon noong nagkaroon po ng pandemic, nilagyan po nila kami ng rationalized route na hindi po napag-aralan maigi ng planning ng ltfrb saka kung sinuman po yung consultant.”

The Department of Education has ordered the start of the school year on August 22, but required five days of in-person classes in all public and private high schools by November 2.

De Jesus said that they need to receive a special permit to allow them to pass along the university belt without problems, which has not been given to them yet.

“Kung wala po doon sa special permit ngayon na binigay sa amin, paano ho kami makakarating doon? Dahil kung walang special permit, e out of line kami, masho-show cause po kami, mahuli kami, ma-impound kami,” she said.

(MM)

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