Thousands of commuters were left struggling to find rides along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City after only a limited number of passenger jeepneys operated during peak hours.

In the report of DZRH's Val Gonzales, workers and students traveling early in the morning, particularly near Litex Road and Philcoa, faced long waits and overcrowding as many jeepney drivers prioritized claiming fuel subsidies distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The situation worsened as fewer jeepneys plied their routes, intensifying the daily commuting challenges in the area. Authorities also temporarily closed the gates of Quezon Memorial Circle after it was used as a payout site, resulting in limited parking space for visitors.

By afternoon, long queues of jeepney drivers were seen at designated payout areas, with thousands already receiving the P5,000 fuel subsidy. The distribution will continue on Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27, for delivery service riders, while motorcycle taxi riders are scheduled to receive assistance on Saturday.

The fuel subsidy program is part of the government’s effort to support the transport sector amid the continued rise in fuel prices, though it has caused temporary disruptions in public transportation services.