DoTr eyes increased public transport
As we expect the increased movement of travelers, now that we are gradually easing restrictions, the Philippine Ports Authority has already pioneered several initiatives to ensure convenient and safe travel at seas.
There will be a gradual increase in the number of public utility vehicles (PUV) available, shorter travel time, and less “red tape” under the “new normal.”
Department of Transportation (DoTr) Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency has crafted a strategic plan to formulate and implement transport initiatives under the leadership of Secretary Arthur Tugade.
“We call this the OPLAN AIR (Add, Increase, Reduce/Remove),” he said in a virtual press conference Friday.
The first step, he said, is to add more trains, PUV such as jeepneys, more routes, more franchises, more public marine transport, more flights, and more “alternative ways of transportation” such as bikes, scooters, motorcycles, and active transport modes like walkways.
Next, he said, is to increase the speed of public transportation and related services through service contracting, creating dedicated lanes such as the EDSA Busway and bike lanes, and the use of cashless transactions for PUV and agency processes.
He said the DoTr also aims to reduce travel time by reducing the wait time between trains, achieving predictable boarding, loading, and unloading, and implementing electronic ticketing at ports.
“Reduced time is also being observed in achieving swift and seamless agency processes, which, will, in turn, result in the prevention of corrupt practices and red tape,” Lopez said.
Aside from implementing these initiatives, he showcased infrastructure works such as the newly-rehabilitated runway and its newly-constructed taxiway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“We also have ongoing airport projects slated for completion this year. These include the Bicol International Airport and the NAIA Terminal 2 rehabilitation,” Lopez said.
In the railway sector, ongoing big-ticket projects include the Metro Manila Subway, the Philippine National Railways Clark Phase 1 (Manila to Malolos), MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, and the Common Station.
“Meanwhile, the LRT-2 East Extension is set to start operations by April of this year,” Lopez said.
He noted that the “massive” rehabilitation of the MRT-3 is ongoing while the Mindanao Railway Project is targeted to begin its partial operations by the second quarter of 2022.
In the road sector, he said the DoTr is focusing on the enhancement of pedestrian facilities along EDSA with the construction of covered and elevated walkways through the EDSA Greenways Project which is set to begin partial operations by December this year.
“In Cebu, we are pushing for the partial operability of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit within this year by following a 24/7 construction work schedule,” Lopez said.
In Davao, he said a modern “high-priority bus system” will be established through the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project which is planned to begin partial operations within the year.
In the maritime sector, he said a total of 104 port projects are being fast-tracked to add to the 416 port projects already completed since the beginning of the Duterte administration.
“As we expect the increased movement of travelers, now that we are gradually easing restrictions, the Philippine Ports Authority has already pioneered several initiatives to ensure convenient and safe travel at seas,” Lopez said.
These include the Unified Electronic Ticketing System launched in September 2020 that allows passengers to purchase tickets online.