Poe: Return compliant jeepneys to service

Senator Grace Poe wants jeepneys operating again to augment the fleet of public utility vehicles (PUVs) serving commuters in Metro Manila and other areas under general community quarantine (GCQ). She, however, emphasized that jeepneys be made compliant with social distancing rules and other standards. 

She noted that since the start of GCQ, only 90 buses have been allowed to ply EDSA compared to 3,500 buses before quarantine. With only 25 passengers allowed per trip and per bus, only about 20,000 passengers can be accommodated instead of the 250,000 before the lockdown.

"Malinaw na walang masakyan ang maraming pasaherong bukod sa nagtitiis sa kakahintay sa mahabang pila ay hindi rin siguradong makakarating sa kanilang pupuntahan," she said.

(It is clear that many passengers have nothing to ride and are enduring long waits even though it is uncertain if they will even be able to reach their destinations)

During the Senate deliberations on the Bayanihan To Recover As One bill, Poe suggested that an amount be set aside for additional shuttles.

Poe suggested that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) create a masterlist of transport service workers who qualify for wage subsidies and the cash-for-work program. She also asked for speedy distribution of the first and second rounds of subsidy under the Bayanihan bill, as well as additional subsidies for PUV drivers and operators.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said that some 435,619 PUV drivers in Luzon will get financial assistance amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 each from the government. Poe said many of them have yet to receive it. 

Poe also proposed that PUV modernization be put on hold to prevent mass displacement.