Commuters still have a hard time getting rides on Commonwealth Avenue

Two weeks after Metro Manila was placed under general community quarantine (GCQ), commuters continued to have difficulty finding transportation on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon  City early Tuesday morning, according to a report by Darlene Cay on GMA News' Unang Balita.

At the corner of Litex Road and Commonwealth Avenue, commuters were seen waiting for buses as early as 3 a.m.

A commuter named Crisostomo said his work starts at 7 a.m. but he was in the area as early as 3 a.m.  

Getting on a bus was a challenge since there were many commuters and the bus could only accommodate a few passengers in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

Out of despair, Cristomo said he was willing to back-ride on a motorcycle (habal-habal) even if this is not allowed.

After an hour of waiting, however, he and another commuter just decided to share a taxi ride just so they can get to work.

During the morning rush hour, more commuters were seen in the area waiting for rides.

Although there were buses plying the Angat-Quezon Avenue route via Commonwealth Avenue, these were not enough to accommodate all the commuters.

#NewNormal para sa mga manggagawa

Kahit kapansin pansin na mas marami nang bus ang dumaraan sa Commonwealth Ave kumpara noong mga nakaraang araw, marami pa rin ang walang masakyan. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/mDkTotaAay

— Darlene Cay (@DarleneCay) June 16, 2020

Commuters would run to a bus when it stops, not minding social distancing, just to get on it.

Personnel from Task Force Disiplina and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority continued to remind commuters to observe social distancing and prioritize their safety.

The Quezon City local government also sent Libreng Sakay vehicles to assist commuters. 

Under GCQ, public transportation has resumed under a gradual calibrated basis, limiting the types of transportation on the road and number of passengers allowed per unit.

Quezon City and the rest of Metro Manila was placed under GCQ from June 1 to June 15. President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday extended the GCQ until June 30 in these areas. —KG, GMA News