THE Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) has postponed the implementation of traffic experiment for the proposed transfer of the three public utility jeepney (PUJ) terminals in the city.
The proposal is to transfer the terminals from Hilado Street to Daniel Ramos Street near the Burgos Public Market.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Luisito Acebuche, head of BTAO, said they still need an amendment of the local ordinance before they can implement the traffic experiment.
Acebuche said they found out that there was an existing ordinance on terminals for PUJs plying Granada-Burgos, San Dionisio-Burgos, and Alangilan-Burgos.
"We earlier planned to implement the traffic experiment on Monday, but we have yet to refer this mater to Councilor Dindo Ramos as the chairperson of the City Council's committee on transportation," he added.
The BTAO official pointed out the proposed transfer of the terminals aimed to decongest the Hilado Street because of the big volume of vehicles in the area due.
Acebuche said the terminals were occupying almost one lane of the road. the diagonal parking by the drivers is also causing traffic congestion.
He said the Daniel Ramos Street is a good area for a terminal since the illegal vendors were already demolished and there's no traffic light there.
After the demolition, they were earlier criticized by netizens on social media as some private vehicles were seen using the Daniel Ramos Street as their parking area.
"Once the amendment of the ordinance will be approved, we will ensure that there will be no private vehicles in the area," he said.
Acebuche added: "We are hopeful that the City Council will approve it soon to maintain the smooth flow of traffic on Hilado and Burgos streets."
Hundreds of vegetables and fruits vendors at Daniel Ramos Street and Burgos Street were demolished and transferred inside the Burgos Public Market last week.
This in compliance with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to rid public streets of obstructions to facilitate the orderly use of thoroughfares.