2 hybrid buses get permit soon

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board-7 has inspected yesterday the additional two units of My Bus as a prelude before the issuance of franchise to operate.

LTFRB-7 Director Rey Elnar yesterday said that the two units are part of 77 that the Metro Rapid Transit System Inc. is applying for the issuance of a franchise.

MRTSI, operator of My Bus, is a joint venture of SM Holdings Inc. and Jam Transit.

So far, only nine units have been granted the franchise to operate.

Seven units(not the hybrid ones), however, were given a special permit by LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez to operate in Cebu until March 31.

Five of the seven has a franchise for a Biñan, Laguna-Lawton travel line while the remaining two has a Batangas-Liwasan Bonifacio travel line.  Their special permits were issued last November 12 and December 22, respectively.

Because of their special permits, the seven buses are now plying from Talisay City to Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City and vice versa.

Transport groups in Cebu have expressed their opposition to the entry of these high-premium buses, contending, among other arguments, that they will only worsen the traffic condition of Cebu.  (FREEMAN)