Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Monday said that Malacanang is not discounting the possibility of public utility jeepneys (PUJ) to soon ply the streets of Metro Manila if the current public transportation in the metropolis is still not enough to accommodate the riding public.

Roque made the remark following complaints from commuters of shortage of public utility buses, modernized jeepneys, taxis, TNVs, and other public utility vehicles plying roads.

This despite the fact that a total of 3,600 buses and 1,500 other public utility vehicles started plying various routes in Metro Manila today, 22 June, as part of the second phase of the public transportation operation services on the road sector.

The Palace official noted that 308 modern public utility jeepneys has been given by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) the green light to operate today after they have complied with the requirements set by the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines.

Roque added that 30 of the 31 rationalized (bus) routes are now operational with Route 10: Cubao to Doroteo Jose opening soon and revealed that as per the Department of Transportation (DoTr), UV Express are expected to resume its operations within this month with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) currently formulating the guidelines.

Meanwhile, Roque said that as what he mentioned last Saturday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is currently studying the possibility of allowing back riding on private motorcycle subject to health and safety protocols.

On calls to also resume operations of provincial buses, Roque said that the LTFRB and the IATF are closely studying the matter following the Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield guidelines. (Daily Tribune)