CITY of San Fernando Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago over the weekend inspected and checked on the preparations of Robinsons Starmills Transport Terminal in this capital city as modified bus operations resumed.
The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier announced that provincial buses could operate in limited areas including from San Fernando to the Araneta Center Cubao Terminal and vice versa starting September 30.
In its Memorandum Circular 2020-051, LTFRB authorized bus operators for the Pampanga modified route are Victory Liner with 11 units, Philippine Rabbit Bus Line with five, First North Luzon Transit with three and RJ Express with two.
“Pinapasyalan natin ang terminal dahil ito lang ang approved transportation hub ng city connecting to Manila at gusto natin masiguro ang kaayusan at higit sa lahat ang kaligtasang pangkalusugan ng mga pasaherong bumibiyahe dito,” Santiago said.
Santiago enjoined the management of Robinsons Starmills to strictly enforce Covid-19 control protocols at the terminal. The mayor provided police support for the safety and security of passengers.
The mayor, along with city business license and permit division chief Joseph Garcia, also checked on the operations inside the mall to make sure health protocols are being strictly observed.
Robinsons Land Corp. Regional Operations Manager Jodee Paulette Pineda-Arroyo assured Santiago of the health protocols in place not only at the terminal but throughout the mall itself.
She said they have coordinated with authorized bus companies for ticket booking procedures as provided in the LTFRB guidelines.
“Nakikipag-ugnayan kami sa mga bus company kung paano namin sila matutulungan. Base kasi sa guidelines ng LTFRB, kailangan pre-scheduled yung trip, so kinakausap namin sila paano ito gagawin nang mas madali at mabilis,” she said.
“Probably we could put a ticketing booth or do online booking for the passengers. Kasi hindi naman pwedeng kahit na may bus diyan at bakante naman yung seat ay pwede na silang sumakay kasi nga we have to follow the guidelines of LTFRB,” Pineda-Arroyo added.
The schedule of daily bus trips will be posted on the malls’ social media accounts for public reference. (JTD with CSF-CIO)