Palace to PUJ drivers: Follow health protocols, current fares

The government has appealed to jeepney drivers and operators to follow health protocols and existing authorized fares in the resumption of their operations in Metro Manila.

Around 6,002 roadworthy traditional jeepneys have initially been allowed to ply 49 routes in Metro Manila starting July 3.

The resumption of limited jeepney operations came after Metro Manila kept its general community quarantine (GCQ) status until mid-July.

“Inaasahan natin na ang susunod ang mga operator at tsuper sa mga safety operations tulad ng pagsuot ng maskara at guwantes, at ang maximum 50 percent operating capacity,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised briefing last Thursday.

“Kinakailangan mayroong social distancing, nakasuot ng mask ang mga tao at kung pupuwede po, talagang dapat po mayroong disinfectant,” he added

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has released the guidelines on the resumption of the operations of thousands of roadworthy jeepneys in Metro Manila, from safety measures to valid licenses.

Violators may reportedly be slapped with penalties ranging from fine payment to suspension or cancellation of permits.

According to Roque, these jeepney operators must be registered roadworthy at the Land Transportation Office. They must also have valid personal passenger insurance policy.

“Mananatiling nueve pesos po ang pamasahe sa unang apat na kilometro at dagdag na unosingkuwenta pesos sa bawat na kilometro,” he said.

The government has allowed the limited operations of public transportation to help people get to work after relaxing the community quarantine measures in Metro Manila and other areas.

The economic team earlier recommended optimizing the use of safe and sufficient of public transportation as among the measures to further open up the economy. It also proposed a ₱17-billion subsidy to support public transportation under the Bayanihan 2 proposal.