THE Cebu City Government will consider allowing traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJs) from Talisay City to enter its jurisdiction but only after TPUJs covering Cebu City routes resume operations.
This was disclosed by Cebu City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, committee on transportation chairman and chairperson of the Cebu City Jeepney Task Force.
“If possible, in the meantime, while we still have to roll out our jeepneys here in Cebu City, give us lead time maybe around two weeks because there will be some evaluation of the program,” said Cuenco in a mix of Cebuano and
English.
Mayor Edgardo Labella said he will consider Cuenco’s recommendation.
The TPUJs are expected to start plying Cebu City roads next week, possibly on Nov. 12, 2020 after the units and their drivers undergo assessment at City Hall and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The LTO assessment will include a check on whether the drivers have pending traffic violations since last year. They will also take a driver's exam to determine their knowledge on traffic regulations.
“After the inspection and all the requirements, they will be given a certification and after all those things, immediately they can already ply their routes,” said Cuenco.
The driver registration will conclude on Friday, Nov. 6 to be followed by the registration of the units which will include a check on their road worthiness.
Of the 5,044 TPUJs which plied Cebu City routes before the Covid-19 crisis, only 1,720 will be allowed to operate in the city’s 18 routes.
Talisay-Cebu City
On Thursday, Nov. 5, Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. wrote a letter to Labella requesting the latter to allow jeepneys running on Talisay-Cebu City routes to re-enter Cebu City.
Gullas assured they will comply with health protocols set by Cebu City before allowing the TPUJs from Talisay City to resume operations.
Jonathan Tumulak, City of Talisay Traffic Operation and Development Authority (CT-TODA) chief, also met with Cuenco to address concerns that their jeepneys could cause traffic congestion in Cebu City.
Tumulak told SunStar Cebu he explained to Cuenco that TPUJs from Talisay City running on the 41D and 42D routes will not contribute to the traffic in downtown Cebu City since the jeepneys will make a turn on V. Rama St. corner N. Bacalso Avenue going to Taboan on their way back to Talisay.
Tumulak said Talisay City is willing to comply with all Cebu City requirements including a swab test for their TPUJ drivers and a check on the road worthiness of the units.
As of November, only 50 TPUJs running on the Talisay-Cebu City route are serviceable, Tumulak said. / JKV