The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued public transport guidelines for the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR). This time, public transport will not be facing further restrictions and limitations during the ECQ period.

Transportation Secretary Art Tugade says the current supply and capacity of public utility vehicles will be retained in Metro Manila even as the region goes into ECQ from August 6 to 20. He further added that only Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) will be accommodated by public transport services.

“Restrictions will be applied on passengers. There will be stricter enforcement to ensure that only APORs are permitted to use public transport, as mandated by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF),” he said. “APORs are reminded to be ready to present to transport marshals identification cards issued by the IATF or other documents or IDs as proof that they are authorized to travel.”

However, the IATF can change the number of PUVs and passenger capacity allowed during the ECQ period at any time the agency sees it necessary.

Here are the public transportation guidelines for NCR during the ECQ:

Road sector

The DOTr said public utility vehicles, such as buses and jeepneys, can operate at only 50 percent capacity on a “one-seat-apart” setup. Standing passengers will also not be allowed and only one passenger can sit at the driver’s row.

For tricycles, the DOTr said passenger load shall not exceed one passenger in the sidecar. Their operations of tricycles shall also be approved by the Department of Interior and Local Government and their respective local government units.

The DOTr added that motorcycle taxi services and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) are also allowed to operate as long as public health protocols are observed.

Railway sector

For the railway sector, the DOTr said all Philippine National Railways, LRT-1, LRT-2, and the MRT-3 trains will be operational. Transport marshals will be deployed to ensure that passengers are APORs and public health standards are followed.

Passengers are required to wear face shields and masks at all times and shall comply with the ‘no talking and eating’ as well as the social distancing policy.

Temperature checks will be done at station entrances and passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to board trains, said the DOTr.

Aviation and maritime sector

TheDOTr said domestic flights and sea travel in the NCR will also continue during the ECQ,subject community quarantine restrictions ofthe destinations.