North terminal asked to accommodate Balamban V-hires

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Transportation Office is asking the management of Cebu North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City to accommodate 40 vans-for-hire plying Balamban route to decongest traffic in the city’s thoroughfares.

CCTO executive director Rey Gealon said the north bus terminal is more accessible for the Balamban v-hires than the temporary terminal near the Compania Maritima Building. Gealon has made a formal letter request dated August 4 addressed to CNBT General Manager Zosimo Jumao-as Jr.

“It is important that the v-hire plying the Balamban route be accommodated at the North Bus Terminal as they will be traversing the transcentral highway and will be more accessible to and from there in Mandaue City,” Gealon said, adding that these drivers should be subject to the rules and regulations of the terminal.

These 40 v-hires plying Balamban route are part of the 300 v-hires affected by the closure of the One Citilink Terminal in Cebu City. The city government closed the One Citilink terminal on July 28 for lack of permit. They are temporarily accommodated in the open space near Compania Maritima.

“CCTO is looking forward for the approval of this request as soon as possible so that the number of vehicles utilizing the vicinity of Maritima will likewise be lessened,” Gealon said.

Gealon said he already talked to Jumao-as about it and the latter is willing to accommodate the Balamban v-hires. Jumao-as, however, said that the terminal lack the space to accommodate all 40 vehicles at once.

Gealon said the v-hire drivers should meet Jumao-as and come up with a scheme so they could be accommodated. Joel Dutosme, one of the drivers, said that he is not amenable to transfer to CNBT.

“Layo naman gyod ang Mandaue City sa among rota. Wala pod miy mga pasahero nga maabot sa Mandaue,” he said.

Gealon said it is not the responsibility of the city to construct and maintain a terminal.

Mayor Michael Rama earlier ordered the transfer of all terminals out of the city to address the traffic congestion in the major thoroughfares.

Rama said that it would also be in preparation for the forthcoming Bus Rapid Transit Project.

Gealon said the transfer of the terminal from Compania Maritima to CNBT will lessen the traffic in Cebu City. — (FREEMAN)