LTFRB starts survey for modern jeep route

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 has started conducting surveys on the “missionary route” which is requested by the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-purpose Cooperative (CITRASCO).

LTFRB-7 regional director Ahmed Cuizon said yesterday they have to ensure that the route applied for is feasible as it is already part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

"We have to make sure that the route that they are applying for is feasible because this is a missionary route and part of the PUV modernization program and we do not want this to fail," Cuizon said.

CITRASCO, together with Manila-based Persano Corporation, has applied to operate 20 “modern” jeepney units for the Cebu City HallAsia Town I.T. Park-Robinsons Galleria Cebu-Cebu Business Park route and vice versa.

CITRASCO has filed for a certificate of public convenience and application for fare setting before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7.

Ryan Yu, general manager and chairman of CITRASCO, said the new units have yet to arrive in Cebu as the processing was delayed because of the holidays.

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

CITRASCO has asked LTFRB to grant them a provisional fare of P15 for the said route.

Cuizon and Yu said that the 20 jeepneys are already air-conditioned, have free wifi, CCTV, dashboard cameras, Global Positioning System (GPS) and an automated fare collection system.

Cuizon added that they will conduct a public hearing on this matter once they are done with the surveys.

CITRASCO believes that there is a blatant need for jeepneys in the new route and they remained optimistic that LTFRB will approve the application.