Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
In preparation for the influx of passengers during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has activated Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2016 to ensure the safety and reliability of various modes of transportation.
The DOTr has directed all its attached agencies to be on heightened alert status to guarantee the security and safety of passengers traveling during the Undas period. Attached agencies are expected to make sure that public concerns hotlines are operational and properly manned.
Road Safety and Public Assistance
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will conduct an inspection of buses as part of ensuring its road worthiness and safety of the passengers. Help Desks shall also be placed in terminals to ensure that queries and concerns of commuters will be swiftly and efficiently attended to.
Further, LTFRB shall issue special permits to bus operators valid from October 29 – November 3, as more buses will be needed to transport those who will be traveling to their respective provinces.
Similarly, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will enhance its public assistance programs by prioritizing tasks in line with guiding motorists.
Meanwhile, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will deploy additional personnel at toll plazas where traffic build-up is expected.
For its part, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has created a Management Team which consists of airport managers to personally oversee the operation during the peak days. Passengers can also ask for assistance and information to Help Desks manned by MIAA Operations group, airport police and medical team.
The Philippine National Railways will maintain the present number of train trips in the Metro Manila South Commuter and Bicol Commuter Services. There will be 36 daily from Tutuban – Alabang/Mamatid and four (4) in Naga – Sipocot. One-stop help desks will be set-up in terminals and stations and quick response teams will be activated.
Nationwide Inspection of Passenger Ships
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will monitor all domestic passenger ships prior to scheduled departures to ensure that applicable MARINA rules and regulations are complied, particularly the “No Overloading of Passengers and Cargoes” Policy.
i-ACT Deployment and Lifting of Number Coding
The Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (i-ACT) will deploy around 2,900 personnel to man the roads of the metropolis, i-ACT will likewise lift the Number Coding Scheme in Metro Manila from October 31 to November 1. However, in order to further assist commuters going to and from their provinces, Number Coding shall be lifted ONLY for provincial buses on November 2&3, 2016.