5,000 more buses, PUVs on road Monday; ride pillion guidelines being readied
After months of saying no to public clamor, Malacañang said pillion riding in motorcycles is now “allowed in principle” and that a technical working group (TWG) was already tasked to study the safest way to reduce the rate of transmission in motorcycles.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced over state-run PTV-4 that a TWG of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) was tasked to convene
and determine the safest and most effective manner to reduce the rate of transmission when pillion riding.
A pillion is a secondary pad, cushion, or seat behind the main seat of a motorcycle. A passenger in this seat is said to “ride pillion.”
The TWG is composed of the departments of Transportation (DOTr), Health (DOH), Science and Technology (DOST), Trade and Industry (DTI); and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
“So malapit na po ang back-riding, pero kinakakailangan ang NTF (National Task Force) po ang mag-issue ng guidelines (pillon riding in motorcycles will soon be allowed but the NTF needs to come up with the guidelines first),” he said.
“Pinapayagan na in principle ang backriding (Pillon riding in motorcycles is now allowed in principle) upon the approval of the requirements na ise-set ng (that will be determined by the) technical working group, antay-antay na lang po muna (let’s just wait),” he added.
In an interview over Super Radyo DZBB, Roque said the guidelines which detail the different contraptions and devices that should be used in motorcycles will most likely be issued before the month ends.
“Kaya po isasapinal ang guidelines dahil may safety considerations din pagdating dito sa mga contraption at tsaka mga devices na kinakailangan gamitin para magkaroon ng proteksyon ang mga rider sa kanilang mga pasahero (That’s why we’re finalizing the guidelines because there are safety considerations when it comes to the contraptions and the devices that will be used in order to protect the biker and the passenger),” he said.
Since the lockdown was declared on March 15, the public has been appealing to the government to allow ride pillon in motorcycles due to the suspension of public transportation. But the IATF rejected the suggestions due to lack of physical distancing.
President Duterte likewise thumbed down the move of different local government units to allow ride pillon in motorcycles.
The ride-hailing service Angkas has proposed a special suit to be worn by the motorcycle driver. Roque said the DOH was studying the proposal.
At least 3,600 additional buses and 1,500 other vehicles will be coming out at the start of the second phase of DOTr’s transportation plan in Metro Manila Monday to address the plight of commuters.
UV Express fare hike
The IATF reportedly affirmed the exemption of public utility vehicles (PUVs) from local curfew ordinances as they ply their routes Monday
A group of UV Express operators and drivers assured their preparedness under the “new normal.”
“Handang-handa na, gigil na gigil na po ang mga UV Express na magbalik-pasada. Kami po ay nakahanda na pati ang mga protocol namin para maging ligtas ang mga pasahero magmula sa terminal hanggang sa biyahe (We are very ready, we are excited to go back on the road. Our safety and health protocols for our passengers are all set starting from our terminals),” Rosalino Marable, president of the Coalition of Operators and
Drivers of UV Express Atbp. (CODEX) said on Saturday.
There will be thermal scanners at their terminals, alcohol or hand sanitizers and markers to ensure physical distancing.
Marable said their group will also be keeping records of passengers, as ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for contact tracing purposes.
UV Express units, Marable said are only allowed to ferry a maximum of nine passengers, which they vowed to follow.
But because of a reduced income due to a limited passenger capacity, the increase in the price of fuel and spare parts, Marable said his group will pursue a petition for a ₱2 per kilometer fare hike.
He said the last time they were given a ₱2 per kilometer increase was in 2006.
“Prices of gasoline, diesel, and spare parts went up and the rent in commercial centers for our terminals doubled already. We find it very justifiable for us to file a petition for a fare hike and we will still pursue that,” he added.
Roque reminded the public that there should always be physical distancing in all modes of transport.