Benitez assures no apprehension of traditional jeepneys pending talks on modernization program in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY -- Mayor Alfredo Abelardo ‘Albee’ Benitez has assured traditional jeepney operators here that there will be no apprehension against them amid the ongoing meeting of the city government, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) regarding the modernization program.

This was announced by Benitez on Tuesday, Nov. 22, following a closed door meeting with some officials of LTFRB-6 and LTO-6 at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).

The two government agencies have earlier agreed for a two-week ceasefire on the massive apprehension against traditional jeepneys without franchises here on the request of Benitez, who met with the traditional jeepney operators last week to know their sentiments on the modernization program.

The discussion on the modernization program will continue to establish the transfer plan for the traditional jeepney operators and for a smooth transition of the program.

According to the LTFRB, 2,445 public utility jeepneys (PUJs) plying 44 routes have original franchises in 2020. In the new Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) the city was awarded with 1,099 units covering 24 new routes.

However, the city has not yet applied the new LPTRP, and only 173 modernized jeepneys are plying the streets here, covering the existing route plan.

Due to the insufficiency of modernized jeepneys, traditional jeepney operators were allowed to ply for an Interim Service Permit (ISP) with the awardees at the LTFRB to cover the shortage of modernized jeepneys here.

ISP allows traditional jeepneys to ply the streets until March 2023, or until the city can comply with the needed modernized jeepneys covering the new routes.

Traditional jeepneys with expired franchises can also apply an ISP with the LTFRB, provided there’s a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) stating the route and the period allowed for them to ply the streets. Also, it is important for them to have an LTO registration to ensure the safety of the riding public.

In case there will still be insufficiency of routes, traditional jeepneys with expired franchises can apply with the LTO as private jeepneys.