Three new buses for BPO workers
Starting next week, three buses of the Metro Rapid Transit Service Inc. (MRTSI) will be plying Cebu City streets offering free rides to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) workers.
Cebu City Assistant Administrator Annabeth Cuizon said they will be meeting with the concerned offices for the fuel appropriation of these buses.
"Next week kay magmeeting pa ugma (today) for the fuel consumption," she said.
To recall, it was stipulated in the memorandum of agreement signed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Arnold Famudulan, general manager of MRTSI, that the city government shall shoulder the fuel expenses.
Last Tuesday the city government had a ceremonial signing of the agreement at the mayor's office in City Hall.
The said buses, each of which can seat 42 individuals, are available from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. from I.T. Park, where most BPO firms are located, to Juan Luna Avenue and viceversa.
Osmeña said the free ride is open to all night-time workers but BPO workers will get priority.
“Anyone who works at night, it's free. You don't need a ticket, you don't need a pass. Call center agents are primarily at risk. Even if you are not from Cebu City, you can ride,” he said.
The MOA further provides that MRTSI has the discretion to reduce the number of available buses or amend the trip schedules, respond to emergency situations, and deploy the required number of drivers, among others.
The city government shall coordinate with the concerned offices to ensure proper implementation of the project, and endorse the matter to Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board if necessary.
Further, the city shall extend all necessary and reasonable assistance in order to allow MRTSI to perform its obligation under the agreement.
Famudulan said they are waiting for the go signal from the city government so they can start the operation of these buses.
These buses from MRTSI will service call center agents on top of the city-owned buses that already ferry call center agents for free.
To recall, since November 12 at least six city-owned buses and vehicles have been transporting BPO workers. These units are deployed in four identified routes.
Route 1 covers uptown areas with stops at J.Y. Square, Capitol, Fuente Osmeña, Harrison Park, and Abellana National School.
Route 2 has designated stops at F. Cabahug Street, Hipodromo, T. Padilla, S. Osmeña Street, corner Osmeña Boulevard, and Metro Colon.
The buses assigned to these areas are available from midnight to 6 a.m.
Route 3 is from Juan Luna Avenue corner M.J. Cuenco Avenue to I.T. Park, and vice-versa. The buses servicing this route are available from 8:15 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Route 4 is from Barangay Pit-os, Bacayan, Talamban to I.T. Park and vice-versa. The city-owned van for this route plies from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The city government started offering free rides to BPO workers following the death of a call center agent who was shot by robbers in Barangay Mabolo.
Meanwhile, Osmeña said he will be putting up a waiting station for BPO workers, near a known hotel in Barangay Apas, where the workers can stand by while waiting for the bus.
He said this will be his personal contribution to the free ride services of the city government.
“We are going to set up a special office in our property. It will also serve as office for City Hall, at the same principle City Hall at your door step. City Hall will be there 24/7,” Osmeña said.
It is projected to be operational, at least 10 days from now.