THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Davao is open to Davao City's proposal to utilize the existing bypass and access roads as a new route for transportation vehicles.
LTFRB-Davao Director Armand Dioso said although they have not yet received the proposal, which is still being studied by the City Council committee chair on franchises and public utilities headed by Councilor Dante Apostol, they will be giving the City Government the "freedom" to add new routes.
"Ang pagbuhat sa route, ginahatag namo og leeway sa city para sila ang maghimo sa routes (We are giving the City Government the leeway in coming up of additional routes)," Dioso said in a phone interview.
He said the LTFRB, once the study is finalized, will open the selection process for operators.
Apostol, in a previous press conference, said the city is planning to utilize these roads to decongest the current routes that experience moderate to heavy traffic especially during peak hours.
He said his committee will pass a resolution that will request the City Transport and Traffic Management Office to conduct a study of opening routes in view of the existence of bypass roads and other ancillary roads to declog the current main roads.
Among the bypass roads public transportation is expected to ply are in Bunawan, Tibungco, Ilang, and Panacan.
Dioso said the application for new routes in these roads is ideal, if the study would reveal that it is feasible.
"If marealize na nila nga ruta, then it depends on the city unsa ila ipadagan na class of vehicle, whether bus ba or PUJ (public utility jeepney) (If these routes will be realized, then the City would now be the one to decide what type of vehicle they will be plying in these areas, whether bus or PUJ)," the LTFRB official said.
He said these areas would be viable for now, as the City is still currently in the process of implementing the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).
HPBS is one of the initial plans of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to address the worsening traffic situation of the city.