THE Cebu City Government is planning to expand the routes of buses made available to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) employees working in IT Park after the first day of the "free bus ride" went smoothly Monday, November 12.
The City may also add one more route, said Cebu City Transportation Office Chief Francisco Ouano, but he stressed that this is still under observation.
"We will make necessary recommendations if needed," he added.
Three buses were deployed along the pick-up point inside IT Park on Monday and each of the buses made three trips during the scheduled ride.
However, few BPO workers have taken the free ride during the first day.
“Few workers availed it. Each trip, there are at least 10 passengers but it justified because most of the workers are on day off during Sundays, that’s why the buses only had few passengers. After it, we expect more passengers,” said Department of General Services (DGS) chief Ronald Malacora.
Malacora was in the area during the first day of the free ride to oversee and observe what should be improved.
Ouano said the DGS deployed the buses from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Route 1 includes JM Del Mar Avenue and Geonzon St. as designated area for bus stops inside the IT Park. The bus will stop along JY Square, Cebu Provincial Capitol, Fuente Osmeña, Harrison Park, Abellana National School and vice versa.
For Route 2, the designated stops are along F. Cabahug Church, Mabolo Church, Hipodromo, T. Padilla, S. Osmeña St., corner Osmeña Blvd., Metro Colon and vice versa.
The buses were deployed after Mayor Tomas Osmeña promised to BPO workers that the City will give them free ride to ensure their safety considering that they work mostly during nighttime.
Last October, a 37-year-old call center agent was shot dead after fighting off robbers in Barangay Mabolo. (RVC/SunStar Cebu)