Now that Metro Manila and 38 other areas have been placed under an alert level 1 classification, certain restrictions have been eased in terms of public transportation. Most recently, the DOTr issued Memorandum Circular No. 2022-028 to clarify the new rules for public transportation under the new alert level classification.
Apart from the return to 100% capacity on PUV’s, another interesting development is the removal of the plastic barriers between each seat on certain PUV’s. So now that the plastic barriers will be removed, the commuting public are expected to wear “well-fitted masks” to ensure that each individual will remain as safe as possible. Also, compliance with sanitary standards at transportation terminals will be strictly enforced.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade also added, that the LTFRB has already allowed 118,238 operational units of different PUV franchises and groups to service the commuting public. Tugade went on to say, that there are 71 more proposed routes that will be opened, with an additional 8,729 PUV units on March 15, 2022.