Transportation Officials Mandated to Use Public Transit Weekly to Improve Commuter Experience

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has instituted a new directive compelling officials in the road and rail sectors to utilize public transportation at least once per week. Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez issued the memorandum on Monday, emphasizing the necessity for officials to directly encounter the daily hurdles faced by commuters.

"These officials of ours in the Road and Rail sector, they are really the ones who should be going out regularly because most of our projects are in these sectors," Lopez stated.

Effective Wednesday, the directive applies to undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and heads of agencies such as the Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Philippine National Railways. The officials are expected to ride public transit to and from their workplaces regularly.

Lopez explained that the initiative is designed to foster more practical and impactful transportation programs by ensuring policymakers are familiar with the real-world conditions of daily commuters. Furthermore, officials from other sectors are encouraged to participate, as Lopez remarked it is "the only way to truly see and experience the difficulties" faced by the riding public.

Those subject to the order must submit weekly reports detailing their observations, recommendations, and proposed actions based on their commuting experiences.

Demonstrating his commitment to the policy, Lopez personally used public transportation on Monday morning to assess conditions firsthand and engage with commuters.