“EXPEDITE the approval of the Cebu Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) as soon as possible.”
This was the call made by Cebu City legislators, through the Cebu City Traffic Management Coordination Committee (TMC) Board, to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) during a session on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
This came following the announcement of Bagong Jeep (Beep) about the suspension of its 58 units plying the Cebu City Hall to IT Park, Banawa to Panagdait, Tabunok to IT Park, and Minglanilla to IT Park routes starting October 1, 2023.
Beep announced the suspension of its units September 22, 2023, saying all its drivers and passenger assistance officers would enter a six-month floating status.
One factor that contributed to the suspension was the delay in the approval of a route modification request that affected Beep’s ability to maintain its market position and profitability.
In a resolution carried unanimously by the City Council, the body said there is a recognized need to address the rising passenger demands.
In the same resolution, the Cebu Federation of Transport Cooperatives (FCTC) stated that several modern public utility vehicle (MPUV) units are currently idle due to the lack of new public transportation routes for their excess units to operate on.
Accordingly, the franchise to operate PUVs on public transportation routes can be granted when there is an approved LPTRP.
According to the DOtr, “LPTRP is a plan detailing the route network, mode, and required number of units per mode for delivering public land transport services. This is prepared by local government units and approved by the Department/LTFRB. This plan shall serve as the basis of a comprehensive local transport plan.”
Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, chairman of the transportation committee, said in an interview Wednesday, September 27, 2023, that absorbing Beep personnel by other cooperatives and filling the vacuum left by Beep units are only temporary solutions.
Cuenco said the City has to address the real problem raised by the Beep management, which is the need for the approval of the LPTRP. (AML)