COVID-19 Helps LTFRB Fast Track Bus Route Rationalization

If there’s one positive thing to come out of this COVID-19 pandemic, it actually fast tracked the LTFRB’s plan to rationalize the local public transportation system, particularly the buses.

In a GMA News report, the regulatory body responsible for public transportation in the Philippines will only allow one single bus route dedicated on EDSA once the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) is lifted.

According to LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra, out of the 96 bus routes that crisscross Metro Manila, only 29 bus routes will be given a special franchise. For instance, EDSA will only have one route. Other trips that were previously served by buses that also traverse EDSA will now be served by separate and dedicated bus routes.

GMA News gave this example:

Under this new scheme, a commuter traveling from Fairview to Makati would have to get on a bus at Fairview and get off at EDSA. He would then get on a bus on the EDSA route and get off at Ayala, from where he may get on another bus to reach his destination in Makati.

Delgra says that these new routes may replace existing ones permanently as part of the DOTr’s public utility vehicle modernization program.

Department of Transport Issues Guidelines for Public, Private Vehicles Under GCQ

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has now released the full guidelines concerning both public and private transportation in areas where the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) is in place. Here’s what you can expect:

In General:

• Mandatory wearing of face masks.
• Passenger load shall not exceed 50 percent or half of a vehicle’s seating capacity (not including driver and conductor).
• Passengers are advised to take note of their public transportation trips for contact tracing.
• Number coding for public transport vehicles is lifted during GCQ.
• For operators, a special permit to operate under GCQ is required. This is free of charge and can be applied for at the LTFRB.

At Terminals:

• Mandatory checking of body temperature.
• Establishment of disinfecting facility with alcohol or soap and water at all entrances.
• Social distancing measures shall be observed at all times, even when waiting in line.

Which PUVs are Allowed to Operate:
The DOTr has come up with a specific priority of which PUVs are allowed to operate. Only if that specific mode of transport is not available in an area, then the succeeding form of public transport will be allowed:

1. Buses
2. Modern PUVs
3. Jeepneys / UV Express
4. Tricycle

For Buses:

• Provincial buses are not allowed to stop, pick-up, or drop-off passengers in areas where ECQ is still in effect.

For Public Utility Jeepneys:

• There will be limited operation of PUJs (see Which PUVs are Allowed to Operate) and these will be subject to LTFRB guidelines.

For UV Express:

• Only two passengers per row are allowed (one passenger in front, and two passengers for each row of the vehicle).

For Taxis and TNVS:

• They will be allowed to operate, but subject to physical distancing (one passenger in front, and two passengers for each row of the vehicle) and sanitary practices.
• Multiple bookings in a single trip for TNVS is not allowed.

For Motorcycle Taxis:

• The operation of motorcycle taxis shall remain prohibited until the enactment of an enabling law.

For Tricycles:

• Tricycles may be allowed to operate to deliver “feeder” public transport services subject to operational guidelines.
• No riding behind the driver.
• Only one passenger in side car.

For Private Vehicles:

• Allowed to travel only for accessing essential goods and services (including work if employed).
• Social distancing must also be observed in private vehicles (one passenger in front, and two passengers for each row of the vehicle).
• Passengers for motorcycles will not be allowed with no exemptions.

DOTr Hits Back at Critics of PUV Modernization Program

The Department of Transportation, through Undersecretary for Land Transport Mark de Leon clarified some issues raised against the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the government.

One big issue is financing the purchase of a modern PUV where those against the PUVMP have argued that there is no way the drivers who are members of transport cooperatives can pay for a  P 1.6-million to P 2.2-million modern PUV (their monthly loan amortization is estimated to be P 26,000).

Usec. De Leon explains that the 5-6-7 loan programs of both DBP and Landbank are very liberal. “It translates to a very low downpayment of only 5 percent and the government has a subsidy of P 80,000 to cover this up to the price of not more than P 1.6-million. The annual interest rate is only 6 percent, and the payment term is a long seven years. And the estimated P 26,000 monthly loan amortization? The driver will pay for this through a daily loan amortization of P 800.00 to P 1,000.00 collected through the Automated Fare Collection System that comes with the modern PUV”.

He adds that the P 800.00 to P 1,000.00 daily loan amortization is almost the same as the boundary a PUJ driver pays to his operator under the current daily boundary system. “So instead of giving the same amount to his operator, he gives it to the bank and in 7 years, the modern PUV will be his. This will not happen under the old daily boundary system even if the driver has paid 7, 10, 15 or even 20 long years to his operator. At the end of the day, he does not have to work hard for 16 hours yet still has more than enough left to take home. It is because the modern PUV generates extra income since it allows for some 6 to 8 standing passengers and the air conditioned comfort provided allows for a higher minimum basic fare. Also because it is brand new, there is much less lost income due to downtime due to break down and repairs”.

Another challenge facing the DOTr in the PUVMP implementation is the fleet consolidation of the many franchises in every route.

“The government is determined to have modern public transportation by end of the term of President Duterte in 2022, and that deadline set for operators to shift to authorized units will not be extended”, De Leon said. “By next year 2020, they will get a notice to modernize. If they still refuse to modernize, the DOTr will revoke the franchises of these operators and the government will open the franchises to other operators”.

He adds that the DoTr will require operators running the same route to have to consolidate their fleet and franchises to do away with competition for passengers. “Through such a scheme, operators can reduce their overhead cost per unit by consolidating their fleet in just one terminal and streamlining their operations. We can then start a program in which drivers are paid regular wages by operators who incorporate themselves into transport corporations. The current boundary system in which drivers remit a fixed amount to their operators daily result to cutthroat competition on the roads.”

De Leon also observes that commuting takes a long time because of the fragmented franchising system. “An individual franchise holder can operate even just one unit under a daily boundary system. Drivers are forced to compete for passengers among themselves, to stop at every street corner and stay there until full. This results not only to long travel time for commuters but inconvenience to other motorists as well due to jeepneys obstructing street corners”.

The same is true at jeepney terminals or stops where commuters have to endure a long waiting time. “Drivers, when tired or already satisfied with their income, go home, leaving commuters waiting for a ride home, not knowing when the next jeep or UV Express will come. They say we lack empathy. I want to inform all those critics that we have been pushing for commuter first policy here at the DOTr”.

He explains further that another option to get into the PUVMP is for fifteen drivers to form a transport cooperative. “With a bigger number, they could easily negotiate for volume discounts for the vehicle and parts with the modern PUV dealers. But really, to make the PUVMP work, we must have the support of the riding public too”.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra III agrees and explains that the PUVMP is the biggest non-infrastructure program of the Duterte Administration. “For so long as there is public support, strong popular support, the PUVMP will continue. With the private sector, we are now in the midst of a nationwide Modern PUV Caravan covering most major cities outside of Metro Manila. We bring down and discuss at the grassroots level the issues and concerns of the different PUVMP stakeholders. Here, we are getting encouraging feedback from all across the country that there is very strong support for it”.

In the end, De Leon thinks that we can all shift to modern PUV, but without everyone of the various stakeholders on board, all of us stand to lose, most especially the commuting public who have been suffering for so long. “As one, let us send the message that the PUVMP is one of the best answers toward addressing the commuter problems in our country”.