EDITORIAL - More PUJs pose more challenge

According to a report in this newspaper, another 900 Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) have been allowed to ply the different routes in Cebu City after qualifying to get their Balik Pasada Permits.

This is a welcome development as it can provide some relief for those of us who continue to rely on the severely-limited transportation system, particularly those who have a regular work schedule either at the beginning or at the end of a day.

As we have said before it is actually those who use public transport who have more reason to go out compared to those who have their own private vehicles. So it’s good for the majority of us who cannot afford to buy a car.

With that said, this situation of having more and more PUJs back in the streets during this pandemic also presents challenges, particularly how to monitor them to make sure they stick to quarantine protocols.

As a condition to be allowed to operate again, PUJs must install plastic partitions so passengers can be individually separated into allotted spaces within a vehicle. No sharing of space is allowed. For the most part, PUJ drivers actually stick to this rule, but over time some have been observed allowing two passengers to share the same space apparently to maximize on earnings.

While we cannot say that transmission will definitely happen when passengers share the same space, we also cannot say it will not happen. There is always the risk.

We have to remember that the virus is now airborne; breathing in the same air as someone with COVID-19 now places one at risk of getting it. And considering how the more virulent and dangerous Delta variant is now becoming more common abroad, it may only be a matter of time before it spreads here.

Roughly four out of five people in this city don’t have a car and have to reply on public transport. That means a huge number of our population will be at risk if some PUJ drivers decided to flout the rules designed to keep us safe just to make a little more money.