THE problematic mobility that we faced before the pandemic is back--but worse. One big difference is that we have far less supply of public transport than before the pandemic, even with all available public utility vehicles (PUVs) authorized to operate on existing routes. PUVs may be authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), but that does not mean that they are running and moving passengers.
I have not mounted any survey, but when I speak to people in the public transport industry, they tell me that around 30 percent of our public transport fleet is no longer operating. Many buses and jeepneys, after being sidelined for over a year, are in need of an engine overhaul and replacement of batteries, tires and such — expenses they are unable to afford after two years of suffering losses. The congestion on major corridors now stretches throughout the day, translating to slow travel, higher fuel expenses and fewer round trips. With higher costs and reduced revenues, many operators have shut down.
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