New DOTr chief willing to take public transpo to understand commuters

Besides rolling up his sleeves for work, new Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista says he has no qualms about rolling up in a jeepney or bus if it helps him gain a better understanding of commuter issues.

New DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista is ready to board buses and jeepneys

An Inquirer report quoted Bautista’s statements made during a Malacañang press briefing Monday, where he referenced a conversation he had with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Cheloy Garafil about long lines at transport terminals.  

“Sa totoo lang, nakita ko yung hirap ng mga pasahero by just looking at the lines. Alam mo, ako ay willing sumakay sa mga bus na ‘yan,” he said. “Kaninang umaga, kausap ko ang chairman ng LTFRB at sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Tayong dalawa, let’s try riding the bus and jeep.’ And sabi niya game daw siya.”   

(To be honest, I’ve seen how commuters struggle just by looking at the lines. You know, I am willing to ride those buses. This morning I was talking to the chairman of the LTFRB, and I said, ‘Let’s try riding the bus and jeep.’ And she said she is in.)  

Bautista talked to MRT-3 passengers as he conducted a surprise inspection of the rail service

Bautista said he saw long lines of passengers at the EDSA Bus Carousel route on the morning of July 4, the day he assumed office. He added that the current status quo is unacceptable to both him and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., vowing to prioritize land transportation issues.

On the same day, Bautista conducted a surprise inspection of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), riding incognito from GMA Kamuning Station to Taft Avenue Station while interacting with passengers. Based on his observations, the new DOTr Secretary submitted recommendations on further improving the rail line’s services, which he reportedly relayed during the Marcos Jr. administration’s first Cabinet meeting on July 5.

Hope springs eternal that lines like these will be a thing of the past    

These include providing clean restrooms with ample water supply; adding platform waiting seats for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women; consumer welfare desks accessible to all passengers; and additional X-ray machines.

Find out how the government plans to improve public transport at Philkotse.com.