Sunday, November 25, 2007 Nadsu accuses Citom of favoring bus firm
THE Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbo (Nadsu) has criticized the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) for changing jeepney routes that badly affected drivers and commuters.
Nadsu secretary-general Ruben Rama cited the Labangon-Ayala (12L) route.
He said drivers and operators have a franchise on the route from Ayala passing Escario, Banawa, Labangon, Tisa and Punta Princesa and back to Ayala the same way.
However, Rama said Citom changed what the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved and no longer allows 12L jeepneys to pass Banawa and Escario on their way to Ayala.
As a result, Rama said drivers have fewer passengers because most commuters are not aware of the change. Also, Banawa residents are deprived of a one-way transport because if they want to go to Labangon, Tisa or Punta Princesa, they have to take two rides (Labangon to Osmeña Blvd. and Osmeña Blvd. to Banawa) in going back home.
Real purpose
According to Rama, they received information that the Labangon-Ayala route was changed in preparation for the entry of a bus company, the KMK, which will ply the Minganilla-Ayala route, passing Banawa, which Citom favors.
Rama’s allegation was also supported by other Nadsu officers.
However, this was denied by Citom Executive Director Arnel Tancinco, who challenged Nadsu officials to prove him otherwise.
He said KMK does not ply the Minglanilla-Banawa-Ayala route but is plying the Minglanilla-Bacalso Ave.-SM route. The fact that the 12L route passes part of Bacalso Ave. is evidence that it was not rerouted to avoid competition.
Tancinco said the rerouting of 12L is aimed at decongesting traffic at M. Velez and Escario Streets.
On the other hand, Acting LTFRB 7 Director Rey Elnar said Citom can change the routes approved by his agency as long as the point of origin and point of destination is the same. (EOB)
