IATF may allow jeepneys if seating adjusted for distancing

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases may allow jeepneys to operate during the general community quarantine (GCQ) if their seating arrangements are modified to ensure physical distancing.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque explained that the initial barring of jeepneys was due to the difficulty of maintaining physical distancing because passengers typically sit facing each other.

To address this, transport group PISTON has unveiled proposed modifications for jeepney seats to enforce social distancing among commuters.

PISTON also appealed to the government to allow jeepneys back on the road, citing the need for drivers to earn and commuters to have safe transportation to work.

Roque suggested that traditional jeepneys could adopt a seating arrangement similar to modernized prototypes where passengers occupy every other seat.

Under GCQ, trains like LRT and MRT will operate at limited capacity, supplemented by 300 buses deployed by the DOTr, and over 5,000 taxis and TNVS are approved to resume operations in Metro Manila.

The LTFRB has mandated cashless payment options for taxis and TNVS, and is setting up bike lanes along EDSA to encourage alternative transportation.