By Mark Vincent A. Durano

Far Eastern University (FEU) students faced difficulties to ride public transportation vehicles after leaving campus upon the University’s abrupt announcement to suspend evening classes earlier today, April 15.

“Classes in FEU Manila will be canceled today, April 15, 2024, starting at 5 PM today. This is in response to the rally that is making its way to Morayta,” the Facebook statement read.

Transportation vehicles are limited due to the nationwide transport strike spearheaded by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and Samahang Manibela Mananakay at nagka Isang Terminal ng Transportasyon.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, third-year Communication student Samuel David Serdon shared his frustration over the plight in Lerma Street.

“Alam naman natin ‘yung mga estudyante na commuter na katulad ko na possible din na wala silang masakyan na mga jeep and other vehicles… Sobrang late sila mag-announce (We all know that the student-commuters like me that possibly are not able to ride jeeps and other vehicles… They announced very late),” he said.

Adding to the rush hour, most vehicles are fully occupied leaving fewer alternative transportation modes options for some of the students.

First-year Medical Technology student Charles Glenn Amor Generalao also felt the lack of jeepneys in light of the transport strike.

“Nakita ko ito kaagad sa kabilang side [of the road] ng sinasakyan ko, madaming commuters ang nag-aantay ng masasakyan dahil dito [transport strike] (I saw this on the other side of where I ride, there are many commuters that await because of it),” he shared.

Moreover, police patrols barred jeepney drivers, operators, and transport advocates to march from Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City to Mendiola Street in Manila.

PISTON and Manibela will continue the transport strike until tomorrow, April 16, in resistance to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s public utility vehicle modernization program.

Jeepney drivers have until April 30 to consolidate their vehicles into franchises before facing penalties as colorum operators.

(Photo by Janice Aina Herrera/FEU Advocate)