Free rides to SRP, Plaza

Free rides will be offered today for those who want to witness and take part in the Sinulog 2024 grand parade and showdown at the South Road Properties.

The Cebu City government announced through its news and information team that it will be providing free rides today with four pick-up points heading to SM Seaside City’s Cube as its drop-off point.

The pick-up points will be at Robinsons Galleria, Fuente Osmeña, Plaza Independencia and Laray/Inayawan to Il Corso Lifemalls at the SRP. The free ride had been scheduled from 7 a.m to 10 a.m.

PROV’L BUS OPERATORS

Aside from that, the Cebu Provincial Operators’ Transport Cooperative (CPOTC), headed by former Barili mayor Julie Flores, said they will also be offering free rides from Bulacao, Pardo to Plaza Independencia and vice-versa this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“This is our way of giving thanks to the Sto. Niño de Cebu for all the blessings that He has bestowed upon all CPOTC members and their families through the years,” Flores said.

From Bulacao, the free buses will ply Natalio Bacalso Ave., turn right at Sikatuna St., proceed to Burgos St., turn left at Urdaneta St., turn right at MJ Cuenco Ave. and turn left at Pigafetta St. before finally dropping off and picking up passengers at the Plaza Independencia area, specifically at the National Museum of the Philippines-Cebu.

For their turnaround trips, the buses will traverse from Fort San Pedro and proceed to the Serging Osmeña Ave. along the port area, turn left at Gen. Maxilom Extension, turn left to Imus Ave., proceed to P. del Rosario St. and to N. Bacalso Ave. until reaching Bulacao where they will take a U-turn heading back towards Plaza Independencia.

These public buses will also stop briefly for pick-up and dropoff at the Caltex Gasoline Station near the Mambaling Flyover, still along N. Bacalso Avenue.

In coordination with the Cebu City Transportation Office, the free buses will be covered by special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Flores also shared in this Facebook account that JRK Bus Liner/Sepo and JBH Trans/Britt is providing at least six units for the free rides under different routes.

CCLX

Meanwhile, the management of the Cordova-Cebu Link Expressway (CCLEX) also announced that Modern public utility jeepneys (PUJ) with special permits will be able to ply Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova to the SRP via CCLEX today.

This is the first time that PUJs will be able to pass the CCLEX. MPUJs will also be charged a discounted toll from the regular fee for Class 2 vehicles of P180 to only P120.

“We are happy to announce that local government units and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have allowed some modern PUJs to use the CCLEX to help devotees cross to the SRP to watch the grand parade,” said Allan Alfon, president and general manager of the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) in a statement.

“This is a preview of what will happen in the future because there is a pending request for public utility vehicles to be allowed to use the CCLEX,” Alfon added.

The routes for the modern PUJs for the Sinulog include Looc – Babag to SRP via CCLEX and vice versa and Mactan Newtown to SM Seaside City Cebu to Plaza Independencia via Marigondon Crossing – CCLEX and vice versa.

The fare is pegged at only P14 for the first 4 kilometers and P2.20 for every succeeding kilometer.

The CCLEX will also remain open to all motorists, pedestrians, and bikers during the Sinulog grand parade.

CCLEX’s pedestrian and bike lanes are open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a cut-off time of 3:30 p.m.

Motorists are encouraged to use and reload their CCLEX RFID for a seamless and convenient expressway experience.

They can reload their RFID accounts using the MPT DriveHub app, via the CCLEX Customer Service Centers near the Toll Plaza, or at any EC Pay over-the-counter partners.

SAFETY

In another development, City Councilor Pastor Alcover is encouraging those who are taking motor taxis or locally known as habal-habal to choose those that are accredited by the Cebu City government for one’s safety and protection.

Alcover anticipates that there will be habal-habal riders that will take advantage of the situation in today’s festival.

Accredited drivers of the Cebu City government are issued with IDs.

According to Alcover’s executive assistant, Chito Aragon, there are now around 6,000 habal-habal drivers that are duly accredited by the City government but thousands of others are not yet accredited in the city. -