No bus shortage on Saturday amid Christmas party

Passengers rush to a waiting bus for their ride home at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

THERE will be no bus shortage this Saturday even with a bus firm holding its Christmas party on that date, the regional Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7) assured yesterday.

Regional LTFRB Director Ahmed Cuizon said Vallacar Transit Inc. assured him that there won’t be any interruptions of their services.

“Those drivers and conductors who are on day off can join,” Cuizon said. Employees who are on duty this Saturday will receive P200 each as part of their share for the party.

There are 700 buses servicing Cebu and half of it come from Vallacar Transit Inc. In northern Cebu, Vallacar Transit has 147 bus units while there are 190 bus units for southern Cebu.

Cuizon wrote Rodney Santarin, branch manager of Vallacar Transit – southern Cebu and Earl Clyde Berdin, branch manager of Vallacar Transit – northern Cebu, informing them that there should be no interruption in servicing bus routes.

“As such, we strongly recommend that you adopt the measures to ensure that public convenience is not interrupted nor sacrificed in the conduct of your Christmas party and other company events,” he said.

The LTFRB-7 has not yet issued any special permits for bus units this holidays.

A special permit which is valid for three days allows a bus unit to ply outside from its original route.

Regional LTFRB information officer Emil Membrillas said special permits are mostly acquired two days before Christmas and New Year.