7 transport groups unite versus MyBus

CEBU, Philippines - At least seven transport groups in Cebu are preparing a joint manifesto seeking the intervention of all Cebuano congressmen, including partylist representatives, mayors, and traffic heads in Metro Cebu to ask the concerned government agencies to study all issues about the application of SM Holdings Incorporated and Jam Transport to operate 77 hybrid buses.

The seven transport groups are the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Visayan United Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association, Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association, National Confederation of Transport Union-Visayas, Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide-Cebu, and Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association.

“Hopefully, this Wednesday mahuman na og papirma ang among hiniusang manifestation para mapadala na namo sa angay padad-an,” said Julieto Flores, president of CSMBOA.

    Flores, who is also the spokesperson of CPBOA, said they want Cebu congressmen to help them convince the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation and Communications to study all issues on the application of the Metro Rapid Transit System Inc. to operate 77 high quality buses in Cebu.

MRTSI is a joint venture of SM Holdings Inc. and Jam Transport.

Romeo Armamento, NCTU-Visayas president, clarified that the transport groups in Cebu are not anti-development. He said they just want an assurance that they will not be displaced of their livelihood.

“Di mi gusto nga lipat-lipaton lang mi. Mao ng magpatabang mi sa atong mga kongresista,” Armamento said.

He said they will also ask help from the partylist representatives of Anakbayan and Bayan Muna.

MRTSI’s franchise application was endorsed by the local government units of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

But the local transport groups said they wanted the LTFRB to deny the application for want of any palpable merit. In their opposition, transport groups stated that they interposed serious objections on the said application not only due to the infirmities appearing on its face but also for the adverse effects it will bring to the entire transport industry.

“The entry of additional bus units of the applicant will definitely contribute largely to the worsening traffic situation of Metro Cebu,” they claimed.

MRTSI is applying franchises for the following routes:

Thirty six buses in the route line: Mandaue City to Cebu City, SM Seaside via SRP Mambaling, N. Bacalso, Miller Hosital, and vice versa.

Twenty-two units in the route line: Talisay City to Mandaue City via SRP, SM Seaside, SM City, and vice versa. Eleven  units in the route line: Talisay City to Cebu City, SM Seaside City via SRP Mambaling, N. Bacalso, Miller Hospital, and vice versa; and eight units in the route line: Talisay City to Mandaue City, via SRP, SM Seaside, SM City, Mactan Cebu International Airport, and vice versa.  (FREEMAN)