Several transport groups expressed support for acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez’s leadership at the Department of Transportation (DOTr), particularly his efforts to close the transportation gap and improve convenience for commuters.
Lopez recently met with leaders from various transport groups, including Pasang Masda President Obet Martin, Altodap National President Melencio “Boy” Vargas, and Busina National President Marilyn Ramos, to tackle concerns facing the sector and the commuters.
The meeting followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to the DOTr to engage in dialogue with transport groups to better understand transportation issues.
“Pasang Masda, Altodap, Busina and most of the land transportation ranks in the jeepney ranks have full confidence in Sec. Giovanni Lopez that he can do a lot for our ranks in the jeepney sector and in the entire Transportation under the DOTr,” Martin said.
Lopez thanked the transport groups for their trust and promised that the DOTr would help resolve the grievances of the transport groups and serve commuters well.
“We are grateful for the support of our colleagues in the land transportation ranks. This dialogue is important because we hear their grievances and we promise to act on their grievances, as well as to take care of the interests of commuters,” Lopez said.
Some of the issues discussed were the transport groups’ request to the Secretary to direct the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to immediately resolve Route Rationalization, take action on the lack of PUVs on routes with a lot of commuters including Commonwealth Avenue, and the alleged corruption in the LTFRB.
Lopez earlier ordered special permits for nearly 300 buses traveling from Sapang Palay to Fairview to allow them to pick up and drop off passengers directly at NIA Road in Quezon City.
“This needs to be done so that passengers do not have to walk too far, especially if they transfer to MRT-3,” Lopez said.
“The long walk just to board is a hardship for passengers. It is especially unfortunate for seniors and PWDs. That is why the bus station should be closer to the MRT so that they can easily transfer,” he added.
Lopez himself experienced the hardship of commuting due to the different boarding and alighting times, so he could feel the hardship of commuters firsthand.
The buses that travel only loop from Sapang Palay, passing through Commonwealth Avenue, East Avenue, Internal Road, NIA Road and back.
Although passengers can now board and alight at NIA Road, buses are still strictly prohibited from parking and terminating in the area.
Lopez also ordered the deployment of four PCG personnel and four LTO traffic enforcers in the area, to ensure that buses only stay on NIA Road for three minutes, and then move on and continue on their routes.
Constant honking of buses in the area will also be prohibited, so as not to disturb nearby residential buildings and offices.
This October, buses will be allowed on NIA Road during rush hours or from 4 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. This may be changed or continued, depending on the assessment next month.
