THE Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) is proposing 63 new routes in Cagayan de Oro City in preparation for the launching of modern jeepneys under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.
RTA chief Nonito Oclarit said the new routes are proposed under the city local public transport route plan (LPTRP), a requirement set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to local government units before the modernization program takes off.
Oclarit said the newly-proposed routes have been adopted and endorsed by the city development council to the LTFRB for review.
If approved, the city council will pass an ordinance adopting the new routes for implementation.
The proposed routes will cover new and old roads and will integrate existing routes that overlap with each other.
“For example, and Bonbon, Bayabas, Kauswagan, 3 liners ang gabyahe diha pero pwede ra gud unta ma-usa ug ma-integrate into a single route,” he said.
Each route will only allow a minimum of 10 modern jeepneys, depending on the location and the population of the area.
At present, Oclarit said the city has less than 60 routes and the addition will help ease the traffic situation in the city.
The LTFRB delegates the function of route planning to the local government units as they are more versed in the terrain and passenger demand within their respective territorial jurisdiction.
Local government units are also directed to conduct route rationalization to determine the appropriate mode, quantity and service characteristics of the public transport service in each corridor to make the routes more responsive to passenger demand and ensure that the hierarchy of roads and modes of transportation are followed.