CITRASCO asks to do own route measured capacity

CEBU, Philippines -  A transport group leader in Cebu said they should be the ones to conduct route measured capacity the moment they apply for franchise for their buses.

Ryan Benjamin Yu, chairman of the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative said they should be the ones to conduct the RMC, not the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Route Measured Capacity is defined as the number of trips to efficiently meet the passengers’ demand.

"Dapat kami ang mo-conduct, just like what they did to SM," said Yu.

Yu was referring to SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), which through the Metro Rapid Transit System Inc. (MRTSI), conducted its own RMC when it applied for franchise for its 77 buses.

MRTSI, a joint venture between SMPHI and Jam Transport, is the one that operates the 77 SM My Bus units.

 MRTSI has four pending franchise applications before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

So far, only three of the 77 buses were granted franchise and another four are expected to be given franchise within the week.

Yu will purchase 50 bus units that will travel from Naga City to Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, and from Liloan town to the same airport.

He said the LTFRB-7 earlier told them that it should be DOTC that will conduct the RMC.

Yu said he hopes to purchase the bus units by next year and make them operational by the middle of next year.

The buses will be equipped with modern facilities including Wi-Fi and GPS, he said. — (FREEMAN)