By Alexandria Denise San Juan
A modern and environment-friendly transport system is now ready to ferry both locals and tourists to Boracay island, in time with its reopening on Friday.
(DOTR/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) launched the New Boracay Integrated Transport System in a bid to protect and sustain the cleanliness and beauty of the island.
The Hop On-Hop Off jeep system, which was rolled out with the Boracay Task Force, Department of Energy, Grab Philippines, Hirna and Southwest, aims to provide daily and weekly passes to tourists and discounted passes to locals and concessionaires.
The DOTr and LTFRB earlier partnered with ride-sharing firm Grab to bring in brand new modern and environment-friendly jeepneys in Boracay which will be part of the island’s integrated transport system.
"These vehicles will preserve the beautiful environment of Boracay," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
All modern PUVs from Grab will be using an automated fare collection system wherein people can use wearable wristbands or tap cards upon arrival which can be loaded as an e-wallet that can also be used to buy food and drinks in the island.
These vehicles are equipped with Wi-Fi, CCTV cameras and GPS and will only be allowed to stop at certain waiting sheds in the island.
The DOTr is also working with Grab in building additional 20 waiting sheds with public transport information systems showing the arrival and departure time of vehicles.
Aside from modern jeeps, passengers can also book a ride with e-trikes through Hirna, or ride solar-powered shuttles provided by Southwest Travel & Tours to go around Boracay.
Around 200 e-trikes donated by the DOE will also be deployed on the island as stated in a memorandum of agreement between them and the DOTr.
According to Tugade, the island's new transportation system will not just reduce pollution and decongest traffic in the island but will also help the locals in earning more.
(DOTR/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) launched the New Boracay Integrated Transport System in a bid to protect and sustain the cleanliness and beauty of the island.
The Hop On-Hop Off jeep system, which was rolled out with the Boracay Task Force, Department of Energy, Grab Philippines, Hirna and Southwest, aims to provide daily and weekly passes to tourists and discounted passes to locals and concessionaires.
The DOTr and LTFRB earlier partnered with ride-sharing firm Grab to bring in brand new modern and environment-friendly jeepneys in Boracay which will be part of the island’s integrated transport system.
"These vehicles will preserve the beautiful environment of Boracay," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
All modern PUVs from Grab will be using an automated fare collection system wherein people can use wearable wristbands or tap cards upon arrival which can be loaded as an e-wallet that can also be used to buy food and drinks in the island.
These vehicles are equipped with Wi-Fi, CCTV cameras and GPS and will only be allowed to stop at certain waiting sheds in the island.
The DOTr is also working with Grab in building additional 20 waiting sheds with public transport information systems showing the arrival and departure time of vehicles.
Aside from modern jeeps, passengers can also book a ride with e-trikes through Hirna, or ride solar-powered shuttles provided by Southwest Travel & Tours to go around Boracay.
Around 200 e-trikes donated by the DOE will also be deployed on the island as stated in a memorandum of agreement between them and the DOTr.
According to Tugade, the island's new transportation system will not just reduce pollution and decongest traffic in the island but will also help the locals in earning more.