CEBU, Philippines - Five buses of Metro Rapid Transit System Inc., which operates SM’s MyBus were given by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board central office a special permit to operate March 15, 2016.
LTFRB-7 Director Rey Elnar said the five buses are not hybrid buses but are air-conditioned buses which have existing franchises in Manila.
“Gihatagan sila og special permit to operate five buses kay daghan na man gyud ang mga pasahero nga mangadto or mogikan sa SM Seaside,” he said.
Currently, there are only three high-quality premium buses under SM’s High Quality Public Transport System that was granted with a franchise out of the 77 units that SM applied for.
To date SM has 12 buses traveling from Talisay City to SM Seaside at the South Road Properties to SM City at the North Reclamation Area. Of the 12 units, three have franchises, four units have no franchise yet but are now under evaluation by LTFRB-7, while five units already have existing franchises.
The five units, though, are not part of the 77 bus units that MRTSI is applying a franchise for.
Several transport groups in Cebu have opposed the entry of the 77 buses, contending, among others, that these will worsen traffic condition in the city.
Among those who opposed included the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Visayas United Drivers Transport and Allied Services Cooperative, Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association, Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association, Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association and the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Central Visayas. — (FREEMAN)