​43 more TPUJs granted ‘balik pasada’ permits

File photo
File photo

FORTY-THREE more traditional public utility jeepney (TPUJ) units can now ply the different routes in Cebu City.

Cebu City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, the City Jeepney Task Force (JTF) chairman, said there were 43 units granted “Balik Pasada” permits on Nov. 23, 2020.

This is on top of the 19 units which were given the go signal to ply the city streets on Nov. 20.

The 43 TPUJ units which were given a permit by the JTF include those Labangon-bound with codes 12D (four units), 12G (nine units) and 12L (five units); Lahug-bound with codes 04C (one unit) and 04L (two units); Guadalupe-bound with codes 06C (two units), 06B (10 units) and 06G (one unit); and Basak-bound with codes 09C (two units), 09G (three units) and 10F (four units).

Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) deputy head for operations Paul Gotiong said there were a total of 56 units inspected on Nov. 23, of which 32 units passed while 24 units failed.

Cuenco said the performance of the TPUJ units which underwent the inspection on Nov. 23 improved compared to what they saw in last week’s inspection.

The inspection was done by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO).

In the one-stop shop located in the North Reclamation Area, drivers should bring their TPUJ units and go through the first step at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) done by the LTO personnel while the LTFRB personnel will check if the units have installed necessary protection like barriers, pursuant to health protocol.

The next step is the vehicle emission testing conducted by the CCTO.

If the drivers and units pass all those steps, the LTFRB will issue a special permit and fare rate, followed by the issuance of the travel line by the CCTO.

The last step is the issuance of the Balik Pasada certificate to be issued by the JTF.

Cuenco said the collection of swab samples among the TPUJ drivers will resume on Nov. 25.

A negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result is one of the requirements for drivers to operate their jeepneys again.

There are 1,300 TPUJ drivers registered under the Balik Pasada Program of the city.

TPUJ operations were suspended in late March when Cebu City was placed under enhanced community quarantine to slow the spread of the new coronavirus that causes Covid-19. (JJL)

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