PUBLIC utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in Baguio City are being asked to ply their routes till 9:00 p.m. in a bid to service more commuters.
In an ordinance by Councilor Joel Alangsab, he is asking all jeepney operators and drivers associations in the city to provide units for passengers until nine in the evening.
Alangsab said there are complaints from the riding public of the lack of jeepney units available to the public between 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
“Such insufficiency resulted in prolong standing and long lines on various jeepney terminals by commuters notwithstanding the fact that they are being rained or exposed to the elements. Worse, there will be upsurge in the number of commuters in view of the increase of taxi fare rates. As such, there is a need to amend the existing ordinance to cope with the present or existing conditions,” Alangsab’s resolution said.
In the proposed law, operators with 15-25 jeepney units should maintain a not less than seven units available for passengers from 6:00 to 10:00 in the evening.
Those with 26-35 jeepney units should maintain a not less than 10 jeepney units available for passengers from 6:00 to 10:00 o’clock in the evening while those with 36 or more jeepney units should maintain not less than 12 jeepney units available for passengers from 6:00 to 10:00 in the evening.
The proposed law also mandates jeepney operators and drivers associations concerned to device a scheme or arrangement, whether on a rotation basis or not, to maintain the minimum required number of jeepney units available to the public.
Alangsab is set to amend a previous ordinance penned in 1995 to approve the latest measure.
There are approximately over 4,000 PUJs plying regular routes in Baguio City daily.
This week, a petition was filed by jeepney operators on a proposed increase of fare rate from P8.50 to P14.00 with an additional cost after four kilometers.