Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Mark De Leon leads the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the 40 units of modern jeepneys with LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra (2nd from left).
CDN PHOT/LITO TECSON
40 modern jeepneys hit Cebu City streets today
Be more observant when you are on the streets if you don’t want to miss the chance to experience firsthand any of the 40 new and ultra-modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) which Cebu City will be rolling out starting today.
The jeepneys are fully air-conditioned, equiped with Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) and dash cameras and can accommodate around 30 passengers.
They appear more like mini buses hence the Beep logo on their sides which means bus-jeepney.
According to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra, Beeps are safe and convenient.
Delgra was in Cebu on Monday (Nov. 26) to formally launch the Beeps that will ferry passengers in two different routes in Cebu City.
“It is safe. It is convenient. It is predictable. We are looking forward to a more efficient public transportation,” Delgra told reporters.
Twenty units of the Beeps are painted blue while the other 20 are colored white signifying their routes.
One route will traverse from Cebu City Hall to IT Park via Robinsons Galleria, Cebu Business Park and vice versa while the other will be plying from R. Duterte Street to Sykes via Happy Valley, Fuente Osmeña, Ramos St., D. Jakosalem St., Cebu Business Park and vice versa
The LTFRB has already issued a Provisional Authority (PA) to the drivers of the Beeps allowing them to ply the mentioned routes.
LTFRB – 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr., said today’s dry run will be offered free starting at 6 a.m.
But on Wednesday, Montealto said, passengers will have to pay the Beeps’ minimum fare of P8.50 to P9.
The higher fare, said Montealto, is due to the Beeps’ extra features.
Delgra also said that eventually, the Automated Fare Collection System will be implemented wherein passengers will only tap a card on a device instead of paying cash.
“Inig sakay sa pasahero mo-tap nalang sila. Ang plete dili na mag-agi sa driver. Ang plete moderetso nasa account sa ilang transport coop,” said Delgra.
Meanwhile, lawyer Vigor Mendoza II of the Kilusan sa Pagbabago ng Industriyang Transportasyon (Kapit) said they would subject the drivers to more training especially on personal hygiene and being friendly.