Press Release
DOTr PUSHES FOR EFFICIENT ROAD MASS TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AS PH ENTERS 'NEW NORMAL'
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is continuing to push for reliable and efficient public road transportation systems as the country transitions to a "new normal" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a virtual public transport forum today, 26 May 2021, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, was one of the mobility champions/reactors for a research presentation titled “Move As One's Biyahenihan Mobility Solutions Package and National Budget Proposal for 2022 Onwards” by the Move As One Coalition Secretariat. Asec. Pastor represented Transport Secretary Art Tugade in the forum.
During the forum's “Mobility Champions Respond” segment, Asec. Pastor revealed that under the leadership of Sec. Art Tugade, the DOTr is pushing for reforms and improvements in the country’s road transportation system.
“Kaisa n'yo po kami, sa hanay ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon, sa hangaring mabigyan ng komportable, ligtas, maasahan, accessible, environmentally-sound, at higit sa lahat, inclusive na public transportation system para sa ating mga kababayan,” Asec. Pastor said.
EDSA Busway
During the forum, Asec. Pastor mentioned that included in the innovative mass transport projects being pushed by the DOTr is the EDSA Busway which is a free bus rapid transit system on EDSA. He said that through the EDSA Busway, the movement of people is being prioritized as there is now a dedicated median lane for the use of public utility buses. With the EDSA Busway, travel time by bus for commuters from Monumento to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and vice versa was slashed to about an hour from the previous three hours.
“Sa Busway sobrang dami talaga nating pasahero gawa ng libre ang sakay dito ngayon as mandated by Secretary Tugade upang magkaroon ng mabilis na access ang ating mga kababayan at makakamenos sa pang-araw-araw na gastos nila,” Pastor said.
Complementing the EDSA Busway is the EDSA Busway Concourse which will provide commuters, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities (PWD), and pregnant women with transport hubs to safely board and get off vehicles; and safe walkways to cross EDSA from one side to the other. The EDSA Busway Concourse will be located at the SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, and at the SM Mega Mall.
Active Transport
Pastor added that the DOTr has also provided cyclists with dedicated bicycle lanes in partnership with other government agencies and the private sector. The DOTr is set to complete 535 kilometers of bike lanes in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao in June.
The DOTr, he said, also continues to promote active transport such as cycling with the launch of a Bike Manual. The manual aims to educate cyclists, motorists, pedestrians, and other road users about road safety, road courtesy, road sharing, and road etiquette.
Free Ride for healthcare workers, APORs
Pastor also mentioned the DOTr Free Ride Program for health care workers and Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs). Since the start of the pandemic last 18 March 2020, the “Libreng Sakay” program of the DOTr has served 2.3 million person-trips for healthcare workers and 5.5 million person-trips for APORs. Pastor added that the DOTr Free Ride initiative also complements the Service Contracting Program that now benefits drivers, operators, and other workers in the transport sector who were displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOTr actions to further improve mobility
Meanwhile, Asec. Pastor stressed that the DOTr has already acted on some of the mobility suggestions mentioned in research papers presented during the forum. Among these is the expansion of the bike lane network which was proposed as part of the DOTr's budget request for 2022. Additionally, the DOTr has proposed a higher budget for the Service Contracting Program to accommodate more routes, PUV drivers, and operators nationwide.
Asec. Pastor also made mention of the DOTr's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) which aims to remove unsafe public utility vehicles (PUVs) from the streets and replace these with modern, safe, and environment-friendly ones for the convenience of commuters. Meanwhile, he added that under the PUMVP, PUVs are also no longer allowed to use streets as terminals. To help local government units set up off-street PUV terminals in their respective areas, the DOTr he said, is providing guidance in the planning, design, funding, and construction of these transportation terminals.
Bus Rapid Transit lines
In line with prioritizing the efficient movement of PUVs, Pastor also reported that several bus rapid transit (BRT) lines are currently in various stages of implementation.
While the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) is now in its engineering design state, the DOTr, through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has started the operations of the Cebu Interim Bus System (CIBUS) which now runs along the planned BRT route. The plan for the overall Cebu Transportation system, including the BRT, is being supported by a technical grant approved by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
Asec. Pastor also mentioned the Davao High Priority Bus System (HPBS) which aims to provide Davao City with an attractive, efficient, and safe public transport system, supporting local economic growth and residents’ mobility.
Effect of COVID-19
Concluding his presentation, Asec. Pastor recognized the effects of COVID-19 on the country’s road transportation system. As a transition to the new normal, he underscored the need for reliable and efficient transport infrastructures as the public depends on mass transportation.
“Rest assured that the research papers and the corresponding budget recommendations shall be carefully evaluated by the Department. Partnerships with the LGUs will also be considered for a more efficient implementation of programs and projects,” Asec. Pastor said.
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#RoadSectorWorks
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