#BetterByahe

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE ASSUMED RESUMPTION OF PUBLIC

TRANSPORTATION ON JUNE 1, 2020 IN AREAS TO BE PUT UNDER THE
“GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE” (GCQ) CATEGORY

Commuters of the Philippines (CommutersPH) is a commuter and transportation

advocacy group established in 2016 which has been one of the leading commuter groups
composed of both ordinary commuters and industry experts all around the country.

The group has been vocal on its support towards safe, comfortable, convenient,
accessible, and environment-friendly transportation systems which includes all forms of
mass transportation, non-motorized transportation, and personal mobility devices
especially amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The CommutersPH community believes that while we should adopt to the “new normal”
brought about by the pandemic such as social distancing and telecommuting, the
transportation needs of every commuter allowed to travel during these times must be
ensured by finding existing, new, and improved mobility solutions that are based on fair
and commuter-friendly guidelines.

With such, the commuters and experts have raised the following issues and concerns
with regards to the issue on hand:

1. Lack of unified guidelines on social distancing markers across all modes of

mass public transport
While it is generally accepted that social distancing is now a new norm in our
society, guidance materials such as markers would be essential in ensuring that it
is observed across all establishments including public transportation. Markers
serve as a visual cue on where a person would stand or sit which is crucial in
making it easier to understand especially for “no read, no write” commuters.

Unfortunately, the markers utilized by the buses, jeepneys, LRT, MRT, and PNR
are different which makes it harder for the regular “Juan” or “Juana” to easily
distinguish where they would position themselves inside the public transport
vehicle that could only cause confusion and delays due to slow compliance.

Contact Person: Mr. Paul Edward Eclavea, Vice Chairman for External Affairs (+639178087049)

Facebook (Page): facebook.com/commutersph Facebook (Group): facebook.com/groups/commutersph

Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter.com/commutersph
#BetterByahe

2. Reduced transport capacity and the initial prohibition of buses and jeepneys
In order to allow social distancing in public transportation, it is required by the IATF
to reduce capacity of all modes of public transportation systems to as much as
ninety percent (90%) of its total carrying capacity per vehicle. While such measure
is understandable, the recommendation of the Metropolitan Manila Council (MMC)
as stated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to initially
prohibit mass public utility vehicles such as buses, jeepneys, and UV express
when GCQ ushers in would be a disaster given that these modes are what carries
more than ninety percent (90%) of commuters everyday and would serve as
redundancies to corridors with rail lines which are also reduced in capacity.

3. Lack of contactless automated fare collection systems (AFCS) on majority

of existing PUVs and non-interoperability of existing contactless AFCS
providers
Given the need to disinfect and reduce unnecessary contact to people and items
that might be carrying the virus, contactless payments play a key role in ensuring
that such unnecessary contact with cash that could be a medium to which the virus
could be transmitted would be minimized and queues would be minimized so as
to conform with social distancing. Unfortunately, contactless payment systems
such as the Beep system provided in LRT, MRT, and some P2Ps and Modern
Jeepneys are not provided yet to majority of the existing PUVs which still rely on a
cash based system and PNR which still utilizes a paper ticket system. The lack of
inter-operability with other systems deployed by other operators or even
companies such as that of the PrimeTap system for MetroExpress P2Ps, TripKo
system for some Modern Jeepneys, Eplus system of SM Prime Holdings, Paymaya
of Smart Communications, and Gcash of Globe Telecom is another problem as
this requires commuters a separate card or system which might discourage them
to utilize contactless payment systems and resort to cash which could add to the
possible virus transmission.

Contact Person: Mr. Paul Edward Eclavea, Vice Chairman for External Affairs (+639178087049)

Facebook (Page): facebook.com/commutersph Facebook (Group): facebook.com/groups/commutersph

Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter.com/commutersph
#BetterByahe

4. Lack of support towards Non-Motorized Transport and Personal Mobility

Devices
Given the reduced capacity of public transport, a good alternative being looked
upon by commuters is the use of Non-Motorized Transport such as bikes and
Personal Mobility Devices such as Electric Scooters. These devices are portable,
reasonably priced, and easily accessible to the general public that makes them a
reasonable alternative or complementary in their daily commutes. While the MMDA
recently held a dry run of a pop-up bike lane in EDSA-Whiteplains last May 24,
2020, they deemed it hard to maintain and instead pushed for the construction of
an elevated walkway-bikeway on major corridors which would take a significant
amount of time. This signals that the government is still not keen on providing (even
albeit temporary) pop-up bike lanes that would allow displaced commuters another
mobility option towards their destinations when PUVs are reduced in capacity.

5. Underutilization of technology as a conduit to social distancing

The advantage of our society today is the strength, maturity, and availability of our
Information Communications Technology (ICT) that products and services can be
availed through a smartphone or a PC in a few touch inputs. Yet it seems that such
is being neglected during these times and that the only push for it is through online
meetings and food delivery services.

6. Implementation of “Modified Number Coding” scheme and prohibition on

app-based carpooling
It has been proven even before the pandemic that the “Unified Vehicular Volume
Reduction Program” or more commonly known as “Number Coding” system is not
a long-term effective solution to the transport problems as it encourages more
people to buy more cars to go around this rule which puts more vehicles on the
road. Also while carpooling has been an informal practice even before the era of
the internet, the prohibition of such and the use of app-based carpooling in this
period of pandemic is a wasted opportunity to be able to transport more people
while still observing social distancing measures especially that public transport
capacity is greatly reduced and most people who have cars are single occupant
motorists. This does not only waste space but also adds to the unnecessary
congestion which has been evident even if key Metropolitan Areas in the country

Contact Person: Mr. Paul Edward Eclavea, Vice Chairman for External Affairs (+639178087049)

Facebook (Page): facebook.com/commutersph Facebook (Group): facebook.com/groups/commutersph

Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter.com/commutersph
#BetterByahe

are still in Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) which limits travel
only for frontliners and Authorized Personnel Outside of Residence (APORs).

7. Poor engagement with Civil Society Organizations/Groups regarding

possible transport solutions
Given the proliferation of online videocall technology during these times, the
government seems not keen to take advantage of such opportunity that it still
requires third party organizations to set-up such meetings with stakeholders or
representative groups. In the event that they have tied up with such groups, it
seems that their suggestions and recommendations are not being considered and
they revert to car-centric solutions instead.

Through our continuous online consultation with affected commuters and experts, the
CommutersPH team is recommending the following actions or solutions in the
transportation sector towards the implementation of GCQ.

1. Setting-up of new transportation guidelines, improvement of public

transportation redundancy, and implementation of mandatory flexi-time
schemes on most organizations
Improve public transport redundancy by Road, Rail, and even Waterways by
utilizing existing infrastructures and services but organize them in a
complementing manner to augment reduced capacity needed for Social Distancing
which should be explicitly stipulated under a unified transportation for GCQ
guidelines. Also flexi-time schemes must be mandated by the government even in
the private sector (except for time-specific work such as BPOs) to spread the
number of commuters as evenly as possible within the day to lessen the strain in
the reduced capacity of public transport.

2. Implementing a standardized social distancing marking for public transport

In order for commuters to easily understand markings, a standardization of the
materials and design for social distancing marking must be utilized preferably
with the use of heavy-duty sticker based materials across all forms of public
transport. It must prohibit the use of paint and other similar materials that could
have adverse effects on clothes and other personal belongings or are barely
removable after the pandemic or when social distancing requirement is lifted.
Contact Person: Mr. Paul Edward Eclavea, Vice Chairman for External Affairs (+639178087049)

Facebook (Page): facebook.com/commutersph Facebook (Group): facebook.com/groups/commutersph

Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter.com/commutersph
#BetterByahe

3. Fast-track consolidation of existing bus/jeepney routes in crucial corridors

and allow existing PUVs to temporarily ply these routes.
The consolidation of existing bus/jeep routes into a unified dispatch-based
bus/modern jeep system in major roadways/corridors is already being conducted
under the Route Rationalization Program of the DOTr. Yet due to the urgent need
of some corridors (e.g. Marcos Highway-Aurora Boulevard-Magsaysay Boulevard-
Legarda-Recto route) especially during these times of pandemic, prioritization and
fast tracking of crucial corridors must be implemented in order to reflect the current
trip patterns and demand. This should be done without phasing out yet existing
PUVs and extending or modifying their routes temporarily without need for new
franchises until the supply and franchise for new Modern PUVs becomes available
for the new rationalized corridors they would ply.

4. Require the inter-operability of competing contactless payment / Automatic

Fare Collection Systems and installation of such systems in PNR and other
existing PUVs
A low-hanging fruit that the government can implement to aid in the reduction of
use of cash or paper tickets which could be a medium for the virus to spread is
through inter-operability of existing Automated Fare Collection/Contactless
Payment Systems deployed by different operators (Beep, PrimeTap, TripKo,
Eplus, Paymaya, GCash, etc) across different systems and transportation modes
similar to the interoperability of competing RFID systems (Easytrip and
Autosweep) across all toll roads and its installation in other modes of transport
such as PNR, Ferry, and existing PUVs (Classic Jeepneys, City Buses, UV
Express).

5. Support Non-Motorized Transport and Personal Mobility Devices by putting

up proper dedicated and protected bike lanes in major roadways.

The government should provide and support Non-Motorized Transport and

Personal Mobility Devices, such as bikes and electronic scooters, dedicated and
protected lanes separate from walkways and sidewalks in major roadways (Eg.
EDSA, Commonwealth, Quezon Avenue) whether pop-up or permanent that would
enable more commuters additional transport choices given the limited capacity
brought about by social distancing.
Contact Person: Mr. Paul Edward Eclavea, Vice Chairman for External Affairs (+639178087049)

Facebook (Page): facebook.com/commutersph Facebook (Group): facebook.com/groups/commutersph

Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter.com/commutersph
#BetterByahe

6. Implement an app-based reservation system on mass transit

As an ICT measure, the government can implement an app-based reservation
system on P2Ps, Bus carousels, Railways and Ferries for riding on certain
train/bus/ferry and times to minimize the expected longer queues and dwell time
outside station/stop premises similar to online booking/check-in in Air Transport
utilizing TNVS technology as a base. Such system should allocate a good
proportion towards online reservation to discourage traditional falling in line but
must ensure that the latter still has a fair share of allocation in the transport system
for those that does not have a smartphone or internet connection.

7. Utilize shuttle buses/services of the government and private sector for

additional public transport
Shuttle buses/services of the government and the private sector should be allowed
via a provisional authority to ferry passengers that are not employees of their
organizations during off-periods where they do not ferry their organization’s
employees. This is to augment the reduced PUV capacity wherein these
organizations may charge a certain amount similar to the pre-existing fare matrix
utilized by PUVs or give them for free. Disinfection and social distancing guidelines
for PUVs must also apply for participating organizations.

8. Suspend number coding for all vehicles and allow carpooling via
application-based systems temporarily
The suspension of the number coding system must be put into place to allow
people who have no other choice but to use their cars for transport and reduce the
number of people that would rely on the already constrained public transport during
the pandemic. Carpooling using app-based systems should also be allowed during
the pandemic as an augmentation measure to aid in the reduced PUV capacity.
Such measures may be revoked after the reduction of capacity in PUVs is lifted.

9. Restrategize transport infrastructure funding

With impending reallocation of the government budget towards COVID-19
response, a need to restrategize transport infrastructure spending both via Regular
Government Procurement and Alternative modes such as Official Development
Assistance (ODA) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is needed to efficiently
distribute available funding based on the new normal transport needs.
Contact Person: Mr. Paul Edward Eclavea, Vice Chairman for External Affairs (+639178087049)

Facebook (Page): facebook.com/commutersph Facebook (Group): facebook.com/groups/commutersph

Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter.com/commutersph
#BetterByahe

10. Actively engage civil society groups (especially those focused on

transportation) in information dissemination as well as possible mobility
solutions.
The group acknowledges the limited manpower and ideas that the
department/agencies concerned about transportation has especially during these
times where it is further stretched due to the additional manpower needed for
operations during the new normal. With such, the government must actively
engage civil society groups like CommutersPH which are willing to aid in the
information dissemination and suggestion of possible mobility solutions that are
reflective of what the commuters need.
Hopefully, the problems that have been raised and the solutions that have been proposed
would be considered and subsequently implemented. Furthermore, we hope that the
government would genuinely heed the call for “bayanihan” in the transportation sector
with civil society groups such as CommutersPH in order to solve the problems we are
faced with the implementation of GCQ amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact Person: Mr. Paul Edward Eclavea, Vice Chairman for External Affairs (+639178087049)

Facebook (Page): facebook.com/commutersph Facebook (Group): facebook.com/groups/commutersph

Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter.com/commutersph