Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 26) — The Department of Transportation wants to increase public utility vehicles’ passenger capacity from the current 50% to 100%, while also proposing that a pilot run be done in Metro Manila.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DOTr cited the need to cushion the continued impact of the pandemic and oil price hikes on drivers and operators.
“Increasing passenger capacity will mean a higher revenue for the public transport sector. This will be a welcome development considering the increase in expenses brought by increasing fuel prices,” the DOTr wrote.
It said it has already submitted its position paper to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and is ready to defend its recommendation on Thursday.
According to the department, the national capital region is the “ideal place” to test the proposal considering that 81.4% of the area’s population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
It also pointed out NCR has already been downgraded to COVID-19 Alert Level 3. It noted this de-escalation means more businesses have reopened, resulting in increased mobility and greater demand for public transport.
The department also said it has conducted a rapid analysis of data in 10 countries — nearly all of which are located in Asia, including the Philippines — and “found out that public transport capacity has no significant correlation with the number of COVID-19 cases.”
On Monday, oil companies imposed another increase in prices for the ninth consecutive week. However, the DOTr rejects calls by transport groups for a fare increase, saying it is instead working on fuel discounts and subsidy for drivers.
The government said it will release ₱1 billion in financial aid to around 178,000 PUV drivers nationwide who have been affected by the rise in pump prices.
