DOTr Preparing for Possible Partial Operations of Trains and Buses

The Department of Transportation said on April 22 that it is looking into the partial resumption of some mass public transportation services during the COVID-19 crisis.

According to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, buses and train lines may soon begin to operate with strict measures to prevent the further spread of the virus. The proposal for partial operations has been forwarded to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 for approval.

"Kung papayagan po ng IATF, magpa-partial operability tayo, pero 'yong operational capacity will be abbreviated at mababawasan upang ma-maintain ang mga patakaran ng Department of Health sa social distancing," Tugade said in a press briefing.

If the IATF approves, Tugade said buses and the MRT, LRT 1 and 2, and PNR train lines can only carry 30 percent of its full capacity in order to maintain social distance between passengers. Commuters may also be required to wear face masks, undergo thermal scanning, and observe strict physical distancing while in the train or bus.

This proposal came after the government suspended mass transportation in Luzon during the enhanced community quarantine.