Google has digitized the free bus service program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), providing the “best” recommended bus routes for frontline healthcare workers traveling to their medical institutions.
With this digital solution, healthcare workers need only to launch the Google Maps app or website on their phones or on their computers and type their end destination. The app will then recommend the bus service, including the schedule, to the end-user.
“Technology makes our lives easier. So, as we help provide our health workers with daily free rides, I am certain that partnering with digital technology will also make navigating routes the least of their worries. We want to make things easier for them, given the enormous tasks that they perform everyday,” Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said.
Currently, there are 19 bus routes available for frontline healthcare workers. They are spread across the country.
“Google Philippines strives to use our technology to provide help and support during this challenging time. We hope that by making the routes of the DOTr’s free rides accessible on Google Maps, we are helping provide ease and convenience to the daily transport of our frontliners,” Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario said.
She added that Google has also added in its map application a solution to help people find coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) testing centers.
Users simply have to type “Covid testing” on Google Search or Maps and they will see the nearest Covid-19 testing labs.
The government has placed the entire Luzon island under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting March 17 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Manila also suspended mass transport systems, including taxis and jeepneys, to encourage the public to stay home.
Health workers as well as peace and order officers are exempted from the quarantine.