LTFRB 7 to open 2 new routes for e-jeepneys

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 wants to open two new e-jeepney routes in Cebu City and Cordova town.

LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said they are inviting transport operators to a bidding on Aug. 23, 2019, to determine who would be allowed to operate e-jeeps for the two routes.

The new routes will allow e-jeeps to travel from Ayala Center Cebu to Barangay Guba in Cebu City, and from Cordova to Lapu-Lapu City.

Montealto said they are opening the routes to prospective e-jeep operators due to high demand for public transportation in those areas.

The Cordova Municipal Government requested the LTFRB 7 to open an e-jeep route in the town due to calls from its constituents, said Montealto.

The two routes were also chosen based on a survey conducted by the LTFRB 7.

Montealto said 20 e-jeep units will be bidded out for the Ayala-Guba route, while another 20 units will be bidded out for the Cordova-Lapu-Lapu route.

The opening of the two routes is part of the National Government’s public utility vehicle modernization program.

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Aug. 23, the LTFRB 7 will start accepting letters of intent from interested operators or transport cooperatives who want to deploy e-jeep units for the two routes.

On the same day, the LTFRB 7 will also deliberate the bid requirements provided by interested bidders to determine if they are deserving to be awarded with a “notice of selection” from the agency.

The LTFRB 7 will assess if the interested operator has the technical, financial and legal capabilities to operate the e-jeep units.

The bids will be evaluated for seven days. The LTFRB 7 will then issue a resolution to award the winning bidder, or declare a failure of bidding.

Each modern jeepney has a seating capacity for 23 persons, and it must have enough floor space for eight people to stand on.