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DOTr releases guidelines for road public transport under GCQ

The Department of Transportation has released the guidelines for road public transport when the country shifts from Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

For areas under GCQ, the DOTr will strictly enforce stringent sanitary measures:

• Wearing of face masks at all times
• Implementation of no-contact measures such as cashless payments.
• Use of thermal scanners
• Availability of alcohol and sanitizers in Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs)
• Disinfection of high-touch surfaces of vehicles
• Establishment of disinfection facilities in various public transport terminals
• Contact Tracing

There will also be two phases that will be implemented for allowing the operation of different public transportation modes.

Phase 1 (June 1- 21):

• Trains and bus augmentation, taxis, TNVS, shuttle services, Point-to-Point buses, and bicycles will be allowed to operate, with limited passenger capacity.
• Tricycles will be allowed, subject to the approval of concerned LGU.
• Provincial buses are not allowed to enter Metro Manila.

Phase 2 (June 22 – 30):

• Public Utility Buses (PUBs), Modern PUVs, and UV Express will already be allowed to operate, also with limited passenger capacity, including transport modes that were allowed during Phase 1.
• 1-meter social distance rule will be strictly enforced inside all PUVs and mass transport units.

Use of technology

Modernization initiatives will be implemented including an automatic fare collection system (AFCS) for cashless payment transactions, electronic toll collection, and GNSS/GPS. The DOTr will likewise vigorously pursue and promote online transactions in licensing, registration, and other documentary requirements.

The LTFRB’s Public Transport Online Processing System (PTOPS) will run in NCR starting June 1, 2020. It will allow transactions to be made online, except the publication and hearing of cases—which will make LTFRB services faster and accessible for all its stakeholders.

Below are the other institutional changes which the DOTr will implement in the ‘NEW NORMAL’ transition:

• Routes Rationalization for more effective traffic management;
• Industry Consolidation, to make it more efficient and financially tenable for stakeholders;
• The use of shuttle services to prevent students and employees from contracting the virus will also be encouraged;
• Promotion of the use of non-motorized transport or use of bicycles, to maintain physical distancing, provide environmental and health benefits, and promote efficient road space use.

The DOTr will also adopt a system in EDSA with dedicated lanes for buses and bikes, as well as putting up of Pedestrian Crossing and Bus Boarding Areas in strategic places.