App to track modern PUJs -

CEBU, Philippines — With the aim of enhancing the transportation system in the city, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Mandaue City government and a transit mobility solutions provider yesterday.

In line with this development, Mandauehanons will be able to track and monitor modern jeepneys through the Commuter Transport Map, which may be accessible on their mobile phones and soon on monitors installed at bus stops across the city.

Hyll Retuya, assistant head of Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), said the riding public can check and track the modern jeep and buses real-time.

‘“So, if you are a commuter makahibaw naka asa imong sakyan na bus coming ba siya or pila ka minutes away,” Retuya said.

Retuya said that the Commuter Transport Map (CTM) will be fully implemented early next year.

He assured the commuting public of Mandaue that they will experience more convenient travel and transportation services in the city.

“Convenience, kay inig abot sa waiting area, sa bus stop, kahibaw naman ka kanus-a maabot or pwede ra sad sai mong cellphone. Kahibaw naka kanus-a muhuwat sa waiting shed kay kahibaw naman ka unsa nga bus imong gihuwat ug kanus-a moabot,” said Retuya.

Good Transport Solutions Inc. representative Brezhnev Tero, also explained that commuters will be able to track the bus they are riding and see its real-time arrival through their mobile phones.

Tero stated that they are still developing the app for Mandaue City as they work on customizing its features, particularly to focus on intra-city routes.

The representative added that the app could be launched by the end of the year.

He said that transforming the city's transportation landscape is part of becoming a smart city.

“This could be, you can say, a component of a smart city. So evolving man ni siya, so naa’y improvements every now and then, so mao nay mahitabo,” said Tero.

This project is being managed by the TEAM, the City Planning and Development Office, and the Committee on Transportation, headed by Councilor Jimmy Lumapas.

As the city partners with Good Transport Solutions Inc., a transit mobility solutions provider, they plan to upgrade the bus stops by installing monitor screens with audio and providing free Wi-Fi for waiting passengers.

The transit mobility solutions provider will also be responsible for safeguarding the facilities, ensuring that all installed technologies are properly maintained.

Additionally, with the signing of the MOU, the city will require the four intra-city route providers in Mandaue to integrate into the provider's system.

These four modern jeepney franchises are Vallacar Transit Inc. with 61 modern jeepney units, Mandaue Transport Cooperative with 31 units, Lamadotrasco Multipurpose Cooperative with 20 units, and Udotco Transportation Office with 25 units.

Retuya said that these modern jeepney franchises are just waiting for the go signal to integrate into the system because each has its own GPS.

Once integrated, the GPS system will be displayed on the monitor screens placed at every bus stop or can be accessed through the app.

Lumapas said that the CTM will be provided for the benefit of the riding public, with the aim of offering real-time tracking of the modern jeepneys in the city.

He also said that the Mandaue City LGU will incur no costs in implementing this project.

“Through the app, the riding public can now check the exact location of the modern jeep and know when the next bus will arrive… It can also serve as a tool for the transport providers to manage and optimize their running time on the road,” said Lumapas. (CEBU NEWS)