PITX partially reopens tomorrow under ‘new normal’

The Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is readying to operate under the “new normal” as it braces for its partial reopening Monday.

The PITX, which is being used by commuters riding buses, UV expresses and jeepneys in the Southern Manila area, suspended operations in March as the whole of Luzon was placed under an enhanced community quarantine in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Now that Metro Manila is placed under general community quarantine (GCQ,) some modes of transportation are allowed.

In a radio interview aired over dzBB Friday, PITX Corporate Affairs head Jason Salvador said it would be opening its halls to some trips, mainly of the point-to-point (P2P) buses.

“Starting Monday, all trips that would come from Cavite would be stopping here,” Salvador said in Filipino, adding that buses from EDSA would continue the trips of the travelers.

“That is the first route that would be opened,” he said.

Salvador said that the trips that would be opened at the PITX would be from point to point, so contact tracing would be easy.

“Every bus would only be opened to 25 passengers each and there would be a manifesto so contact tracing would be easier,” he said.

Some shuttles had earlier used the PITX as pick-up point.

It was also used as a site for the free rides given to thousands of overseas Filipino workers who were stranded in Metro Manila.

The PITX said its regular operations would still be suspended, since public utility buses and jeepneys are still not allowed.

During GCQ, the re-opening of public transporation would be done in two phases.

Trains, taxis, ride-hailing cars, shuttle services, P2P buses and bicycles were allowed in limited capacities starting last Monday.