The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is working on pushing fleet rationalization in preparation for the full resumption of face-to-face classes in November.

In a Laging Handa briefing on Monday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said a team is working on the fleet rationalization study to find out the availability of public utility vehicles (PUV) on certain routes and how to address problems that may pop up.

“Hindi pa natatapos ‘yung full study sa fleet rationalization and we will work closely with them bago mag-start ang face-to-face classes (The full study on fleet rationalization is not yet complete and we will work closely with them before the start of face-to-face classes). We have to coordinate with a lot of government agencies,” Bautista said.

Earlier, transport advocacy network The Passenger Forum issued a statement saying public transportation in metropolitan areas across the country is not yet prepared for in-person classes, saying the government should first address the infrastructure problems.

READ: DepEd eyes full F2F classes by November: PBBM

Bautista said the agency is coordinating with other government agencies to form an ad hoc committee for the return of students in schools.

“Sa aking mga pagdalaw sa different offices ng DOTr, sabi ko kelangan hindi lang coordination among people in the same department but also in other agencies of the government (In my visit to the different offices of the DOTr, I told them that they must coordinate not only with people in the same department but also with those in other agencies of the government),” he said.

He said relevant sectoral offices and attached agencies of the DOTr are working on addressing vehicular traffic that may worsen with the return of students to the streets.

“We have to work closely with MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), PNP (Philippine National Police), AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and with the Coast Guard para ‘yung traffic matulungan natin mabawasan or hindi masyadong maging malubha ‘yung traffic situation lalo sa Metro Manila (so that we can reduce vehicular traffic or to keep it from worsening especially in Metro Manila),” he said.

The DepEd is looking to start face-to-face classes in select schools in September, with all schools nationwide eyed to have in-person classes by November. (PNA)