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Saturday, December 10, 2005
Transpo agency to be blamed for traffic jam: operator
By Jane Cadalig
BLAME it on the indiscriminate issuance of franchises. A La Trinidad jeepney operator said Friday in reaction to claims they are the main cause of traffic congestion being experienced along Magsaysay Avenue.
Valentino Walang of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap)-La Trinidad Trunk Line said the worsening traffic jam could not be attributed solely to the La Trinidad jeepneys that are loading and unloading their passengers at the Tabora Park.
Instead of blaming them for the traffic congestion along Magsaysay Avenue, Walang said authorities should look into the increasing number of jeepneys and taxis that clog the city's roads.
He said there are around 1,000 jeepneys plying the Baguio-La Trinidad route alone, including those whose franchises were issued even after the imposition of the moratorium in 1997. "The increase in our number has been one of the reasons why heavy traffic occurs along Magsaysay," he said.
Some La Trinidad jeepneys, particularly those plying the Baguio-Trinidad-Buyagan line, were allegedly issued new franchises by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Walang said there are eight associations that compose the federation of La Trinidad jeepney drivers and operators.
An average of 180-200 jeepneys per day is plying the Magsaysay route alone, he said.
The plan to transfer the staging area of La Trinidad jeepneys at the Slaughter Compound to ease the traffic along Magsaysay Avenue is being studied by the City Government. The affected group, however, is asking the City not to let them go back to their old loading and unloading area.
La Trinidad jeepneys were allowed last year to temporarily use the Tabora Park as their staging zone provided that they abide by the "pick-and-go" rule.
(December 10, 2005 issue)
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