CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña encouraged drivers and transportation operators to invest in the new type of public utility jeepneys.
In his news conference yesterday, Osmeña said drivers and operators can start investing in the new ones as there are several transportation providers that are offering their products with low interest rates.
“The basic issue here is improving and fine tuning our traffic situation and getting rid of the old jeepneys. There are many jeepneys that are polluting and many of the testing centers are cheating. I’m pushing at this direction of changing everything to new. Anyway interest rates are low. I think it very feasible to borrow money and invest in new jeepneys,” he told reporters.
Osmeña, along with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon, led the opening of the roadshow on the PUJ modernization program yesterday.
The roadshow showcased the prototypes of modern public utility jeepneys and other vehicles with participating brands such as Hyundai, Isuzu, Star8, Pasajero, Tata Motors, Ken Taxi, and MiCab.
The roadshow, Cuizon said, is part the nationwide move to slowly replace the old jeepneys to the newer ones.
“These are safer, cleaner and environment-friendly vehicles. We expect that the face of the jeepney industry in the country will be changed as we encourage individual drivers to form cooperatives and operate a fleet of jeepneys,” he said.
Cuizon said the cooperatives composed of drivers can apply for a loan at the Development Bank of the Philippines to buy electronic jeepneys, commonly known as e-jeeps, to modernize their fleets. (RVC)