WITH the government’s modernization program, Yellowdot Transport Terminal Inc. is introducing its modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) among drivers and operators in Negros Occidental.
The firm, through a caravan in Bacolod City yesterday, showcased two of its modernized vehicle units such as the iconic and millennial jeepneys.
Calribel Lincod, Yellowdot’s finance controller and business development manager, said the activity is also a means to educate Bacoleños and Negrenses on what PUV modernization is all about.
After their caravan in Panay Island, Lincod said they introduced to the people in the province the features of the units, and how current jeepney drivers and operators can participate in the modernization.
“The company recognizes the resistance of local drivers and operators on modernization. This is mainly because they are not yet properly informed on how they can benefit from the program,” she said, adding that “they are the ones whom we want to benefit first.”
For modernized jeepney, the firm has 23 seating and 10 standing capacity iconic and millennial units.
Both have features like five closed-circuit television cameras, hand railings, speakers and television monitor for infomercials and advertisements, automated fare collection system, and air-conditioned.
Its minibus also has the same features. Though, it is a 29-seater vehicle.
Lincod said all modernized units are compliant to the Philippine National Standards including the use of Euro 4 diesel.
The investment cost for the modernized jeepney and minibus is P2 million and P3 million, respectively.
Lincod said the company requires P250,000 to cover for the down payment, franchise cost, automated fare collection system unit, and equity.
Investors may go through a fleet loan from the bank or in-house financing to complete the total cost before the releasing of the units.
“We will be the one who will operate and manage as there should be a fleet manager mainly for the best advantage of the investor,” she said, assuring that under their management units are properly maintained, and drivers are properly educated and trained.
Investors, including drivers or operators, will just monitor their income through an application, the company official also said, adding that the company for its part earns through the terminal fee.
Investing old PUV drivers may also apply as drivers thus, their income doubles.
Yellowdot currently has 25 units in Metro Manila up for operation in November. These units will be running on two routes.
Like in other areas in the country, the government will only allow an initial of 15 units per route in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
This is also based on the agreement forged by the firm with the local transport cooperatives, Lincod said.
“There is a potential market in Bacolod City because of the large volume of people here,” she said, stressing that “with the upcoming developments here, this is really an ideal place to modernize.”