DOTr urges public utility vehicles to seat less passengers

March 14, 2020

Following the declaration of Code Red Sublevel 2 because of the increasing number of cases of 2019 Coronavirus Disease ( COVID-19), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) formulated some provisions to prevent the spread of the virus.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said  taxis, transportation network vehicle service or TNVS, including accredited airport taxis should not have more than four passengers, including the driver.

He said UV Express should have a maximum of six passengers, including the driver.

Public utility jeepneys should not exceed more than half of their regular capacity, including the driver.

Galvante said social distancing, which means one should be one seat apart, should be enforced in public utility vehicles.

“For public utility bus, there should be not more than 25 passengers, including the driver and conductor and one seat apart and with no passenger standing, he said.

Galvante said “multiple booking or single trip provided by the transport vehicle network service and the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxi shall be suspended.”

“Provincial buses and interregional trips of jeepneys and UV express to and from Metro Manila shall be terminated on the entry point as identified by the PNP,” he said.

“For all PUV entering and exiting Metro Manila drivers and conductors shall mind their passengers to be ready to present valid company IDs showing their place of work and government-issued ID showing their place of residence pursuant to the DILG or PNP procedures and protocols at all entry and exit points,'' said Galvante.

Drivers and conductors are also advised to strictly cooperate and observed DOH protocols and procedures, he said.

Galvante said point-to-point buses from NAIA to Clark International Airport and Sangley Airport will be allowed to operate, subject to DOH and PNP protocols and procedures.

He said all the PUV drivers and conductors were also required to properly wear mask at all times on duty.

All public transport operators should ensure and maintain sanitation and cleanliness and their premises on a daily basis and to provide disinfectant or sanitizer for the free use by passengers.

“ Should any of their passengers manifest symptoms of the COVID-19 they shall assist said person to the nearest hospital and to report the incident to the DOH or the PNP for proper handling,” he said.

Terminal operators shall not allow any person enter their premises if the person show any symptoms for COVID-19 such as those with 38 degree centigrade or higher temperature sever coughing or breathing difficulty,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS