ASIDE from the 73 buses operated by 148 drivers of MyBus Cebu and the Ceres Bus Liners, modern public utility jeepneys (MPUJs) will start operating under the service contract program next week.

Eduardo Montealto, Jr., Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 director, a team from the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program conducted a three-day consecutive orientation to a total of 347 MPUJ drivers on Feb. 3 to 5, 2021 while the team also re-oriented a total of 58 bus drivers.

The orientation was part of the onboarding process of the program, which allows drivers to understand more the service contracting program and its factors.

The service contracting program of the Department of Transportation under the Republic Act 11494, or the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, aims to ensure quality, efficient and safe operation of the public transportation even with the current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The LTFRB 7 initially partnered with MyBus Cebu and the Ceres Bus Liner.

The service contract program was launched to help drivers who were severely affected by the pandemic.

Under the net cost service contracting, the earnings of drivers and operators will go to them and they will also receive a performance-based subsidy from the government.

An appropriate merit scheme will be used to guide drivers for additional revenue as incentive to further improve their service to the commuting public.

A total of 50 bus drivers have already received the P4,000 cash subsidy.

The registration for the program is still ongoing. (WBS)