Challenges of Public Transportation as Perceived by the Local Travelers Along Fairview Quezon City in the Midst of the Pandemic

Vol.3, No.1C

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak wreaked confusion on public transportation. Many governments advocated that public transportation should only be utilized when necessary; as a result, passenger numbers plummeted, and services were substantially decreased. This pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of public transportation in providing basic mobility, such as commuting for key workers and errands for non-drivers living in remote areas. This research study is raised to assess the challenges of public transportation as perceived by local travellers regarding health protocol, transportation cost, route limits, and passengers’ capacity.

This study utilized a qualitative research design method to know the challenges of public transportation as local travellers perceive. The researchers surveyed fifty (50) locals who used public transportation during the Fairview, Quezon City pandemic. The researchers are confident that this number accurately represents the entire population and that these chosen respondents will do their best to answer the questionnaire responsibly. This study utilized two statistical tools: Frequency and percentage and weighted mean. 

Most of the local travellers are 22-25 years old, and many of them are female. Lastly, most are Poor (Less than PHP 10,481). All variables on public transportation challenges perceived by local travellers were fairly agreed upon (considering their high value of weighted mean), particularly the weighted mean of transportation cost, which is the most challenging for local travellers on public transportation amid a pandemic. Some problems need to be recommended. Using a mask and face cover during transit is uncomfortable; spending money for local travellers is necessary. Unlike before the pandemic, it may result in inefficient time for local passengers; only a limited number of local travellers can travel on certain modes of transportation.

Since transportation costs are the major challenge for local transportation during a pandemic, Quezon City LGU must provide an alternative vehicle, such as a bicycle, to those local travellers who need it the most and offer free fare transit because not everyone can ride a bike. As a result, local travellers might spend their travel money on non-travel goods or services such as food, non-alcoholic beverages, and medications. To ensure the comfort of local travellers, public transportation should always maintain a limited seating capacity in each vehicle. The government should retain the routeing system as before the pandemic for local travellers to save their travel money and time. Local travellers may be able to travel at a more cost-effective and efficient time.