Gov’t OKs reduced physical distancing in public transportation as of September 14

MANILA, Philippines – The government approved a proposal to reduce the physical distance between commuters in public transportation vehicles starting on Sept. 14, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announced Friday.

Tugade said the proposal from the Economic Development Group (EDC) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was approved and supported by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and the Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“There is a need to safely optimize the carrying capacity of the various modes of public transportation as Metro Manila and its adjacent areas continue to transition to the ‘new normal’ where more workers are expected to return to their places of employment. Work reopened and more businesses are expected to resume operations that were halted during the application of strict quarantine measures, ”Tugade said in a statement.

DOTs said they are “receptive to an initial optimization of the physical distancing measure that is applied within public transport units at 0.75 meters among commuters starting Monday, September 14, before it can be further optimized. to 0.5 meters after two weeks, and to 0.3 meters after another two weeks. “

He said the DOTr had explained during a presentation to the IATF that with strict health protocols against COVID-19, such as the mandatory use of face masks and face shields by travelers, the physical distance measurement of one meter can be adjusted. safely to allow a greater number of passengers in public transport.

He added that the EDC also supported DOTr and called for the reduction of physical distance requirements between passengers in public service vehicles, provided that travelers observe strict health and safety measures.

Such measures include the mandatory use of face masks, face shields and the prohibition of passengers from talking or making phone calls while on board public transport, according to the official.

Meanwhile, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., NTF vs. the main implementer of COVID-19, said that the relaxation of the rules of physical distancing, without sacrificing strict health protocols, such as the use of masks and face shields, ” will help alleviate transportation problems for Filipino travelers. “

The expected increase in passenger capacity on rail lines is supported by data based on physical simulation, according to Tugade.

The following shows the adjusted passenger capacity of the railway lines as a function of the reduction in physical distance per train:

LRT-1
1 meter: 155
0.75 meters: 204
0.5 meters: 255
0.3 meters: 300

LRT-2
1 meter: 160
0.75 meters: 212
0.5 meters: 274
0.3 meters: 502

MRT-3
1 meter: 153
0.75 meters: 204
0.5 meters: 255
0.3 meters: 286

PNR
1 meter: 166
0.75 meters: 184
0.5 meters: 256
0.3 meters: 320

For modern class 2 utility vehicles and utility buses, optimizing the physical distance between passengers within the vehicles will mean that standing passengers can be accommodated, Tugade said.

More passengers will also be allowed to enter airports and seaports.

According to the head of transport, this will also mean an increase in passenger cargo capacity on roll on-roll off passenger ships, as follows:

1 meter: 50%
0.75 meters: 75%
0.5 meter: 85%
0.3 meter: 100%

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