CITY Administrator Marie Angelique Go has allayed fears of displacement by local public utility operators with the opening of new routes under the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) as approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The main objective of the LPTRP is to modernize the local public transport system as mandated by the national government.

However, Go said the LPTRP is just step 2 of the 10-step process of the modernization program.

She said the fear by some operators that they might lose their existing routes can still be addressed as the LPTRP has yet to be forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) or City Council for the enactment of an ordinance.

“Once the plan is forwarded the SP, there will be series of committee hearings to address the concerns of each operator,” she said.

“As of now, it is still a status quo. I cannot say no displacement but the opening of new routes will open new opportunities for transport operators and drivers. There are routes that would have to be served,” she added.

To recall, no less than LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III came to the city on Monday and awarded to the City Government of Zamboanga the notice of compliance on the LPTRP. (SunStar Zamboanga)