CEBU Province residents who are working in Cebu City may have more options when it comes to public transportation as the Cebu City Government is mulling over the reopening of the vehicle for hire (v-hire) terminal in Brgy. Kamagayan, Cebu City.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella plans to gradually open it by allowing 20 v-hires first from the province to enter Cebu City.

As for the date of reopening, Labella is still coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Labella said stringent health measures will be implemented in the terminal for public safety.

This is in addition to the requirements of the LTFRB for the v-hires to accommodate only 50 percent of their seating capacity to ensure social distancing inside the vehicle.

The v-hire terminal in Brgy. Kamagayan was closed in March when Cebu City was first placed under GCQ.

Under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the public utility vehicles (PUVs) were also not allowed to operate.

Separately, LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said the V-hire terminal in Brgy. Kamagayan is part of their proposed routes for allowed public transport during GCQ.

Montealto said once they can start to operate, v-hires like UV Express can accommodate only up to seven passengers due to strict physical distancing.

Aside from the special permit from LTFRB, v-hire operators will be required to secure a Provincial Public Utility Pass from the Cebu Provincial Government. (JJL / HBL / JKV)