IF EVERYTHING goes as planned, the operator of MyBus will soon ferry call center agents for free.
The Cebu City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 20, authorized Mayor Tomas Osmeña to enter into and sign the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Metro Rapid Transit Service Inc. (MRTSI) for the provision of free shuttle services for business process outsourcing (BPO) workers from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
It will ply the route from Cebu IT Park to a chicken restaurant on Juan Luna Ave. corner M.J. Cuenco Ave. in Barangay Mabolo.
The MRTSI will provide at least three of its buses and shall have the discretion to reduce the number of available units, subject to prior written notice.
In her approved resolution, Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos said, “The MRTSI agreed to provide the services for the stated route in order to provide safe and reliable transportation services to BPO employees.”
Under the draft MOA, the agreement is valid and binding for one year from the signing date, unless sooner terminated by the parties by mutual agreement in writing.
The MRTSI shall also respond to emergency situations such as vehicle breakdowns, collisions, customer illness, accidents, physical emergencies, fires, flooding, and acts of violence, among others at no additional cost to the City Government.
The City, on the other hand, shall coordinate with the concerned national or regional agencies to ensure the continuous implementation of the project.
“When necessary, the City shall endorse the project in writing to the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board,” reads a portion of the draft MOA.
Aside from this, the City Government will also assist MRTSI in securing designated pick-up and drop-off points for the route, at no additional cost to the former.
Subject to compliance with applicable laws, the City will also supply diesel fuel to MRTSI for its services, at no additional cost to the latter.
But what will happen to the City’s existing free bus ride program once its deal with MRTSI is sealed?
“We’ll see what will happen. That also depends on the demand. If masigo lang sila sa private... depende lang gyud sa assistance na gi-need sa mga tawo (If they fit in the private buses...it depends on the assistance that they need),” said City Call Center Program head Nanette Garong.
The City Government’s transportation system, now on its first week of operation, already has four routes and accommodates other late-night commuters aside from call center agents.
Garong said it is currently focused on the uptown area since it was identified by BPO leaders as a high-risk area. (RTF)