OPAV eyes green jeepneys in Cebu

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino said yesterday that green technology jeepneys will soon provide Cebuano commuters with a different feel of public transport in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) Modernization Program.

Dino in a statement said the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) is now championing the implementation of the public transport modernization program in Cebu after a successful launch of 45 units of solar-powered jeepneys in Tacloban City last month.

He expressed confidence that the Cebuano commuters will embrace Duterte’s PUV modernization program which aims to introduce environment-friendly jeepneys.

“I am very confident that Cebu will love this new technology in public transport system which is uniquely designed to be at par with modern living,” Dino said.

In a separate interview, Dino said that he already told some jeepney drivers in Cebu to form a cooperative in order for them to have a legal personality through which they can apply for bank loans to avail of the modern jeepneys.

Dino said that instead of complaining about the program, it is better for the transport sector to look ahead and embrace the jeepney of the future that is environment-friendly and most importantly provide convenience to both drivers and the commuters.

He said that aside from a comfortable and safe ride, the public is ensured that the e-jeepneys operate on technology that do not generation air pollution, unlike existing public utility vehicles that emit carbon dioxide into the air.

Dino added that these modern jeepneys will have wifi hotspots, are air-conditioned, and are equipped with cashless swipe-and-ride technology so commuters will just have to swipe a prepaid card when taking a ride.

Dino likewise praised the efforts of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in rolling out PUV modernization in the Visayas which began in Tacloban City.

He added that OPAV will work with the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7) in the route rationalization program in relation to the PUV modernization program’s Omnibus Franchising Guidelines for the e-jeepneys.

To recall, the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-purpose Cooperative had filed a petition before the LTFRB-7 for the granting of a franchise of its 20 modern jeepneys that will operate from Cebu City Hall - Asia Town I.T. Park - Robinsons Galleria Cebu - Cebu Business Park and vice versa.

The petition is still pending before the LTFRB-7.

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