Air-con jeeps available in Cebu City soon

CEBU, Philippines — Air-conditioned jeepneys that offer free wi-fi and are equipped with closed-circuit television cameras, dash cams, and global positioning system, will soon start plying Cebu City streets.

The Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Citrasco) said it has purchased five units of so-called “modern jeepneys” that are said to be fully-compliant with the government’s modernization program for public utility vehicles.

According to Citrasco general manager and chairman Ryan Yu, the five air-conditioned jeepney units will start operating by end of the month upon the approval of regulators.

Yu said each unit cost P1.6 million and can carry 24 passengers, including the driver.

Yu also said he is optimistic that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 will grant Citrasco the provisional authority to operate the five units.

Asked for comment, LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said: “Of course, it is within our power to grant provisional authority or special permits to operate.”

To recall, CITRASCO filed a petition before the LTFRB-7 seeking franchise of its 20 modern jeepneys that will ply the Cebu City Hall-Cebu I.T. Park-Robinsons Galleria Cebu-Cebu Business Park route and vice versa.

Since this is a missionary route, Yu said the jeepneys will directly connect people within the heart of Cebu City.

Citrasco also asked LTFRB to grant them a provisional fare of P15 for the said route.

The PUV Modernization Program is a flagship program of the Duterte administration which envisions “a restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably.”

In its website, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said that among the major components of the program is fleet modernization.

“New vehicle standards are being developed which is based on extensive consultations with involved government agencies, jeepney associations and local and international manufacturers. The modern PUV are designed to be environment-friendly, safe, secure and convenient with due consideration to our persons with disabilities (PWDs) passengers,” LTFRB’s website says. —JMD (FREEMAN)