ILOILO City – This April, around 400 modernized jeepneys would be delivered here.
They would replace the traditional jeepneys operated by members of the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC).
WVTC is made up of the Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Associations (ICADA) and Iloilo City Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ICAJODA), among others.
According to Raymundo Parcon, president of WVTC, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) may release the first batch of franchises this April.
“Ready na kami,” declared Parcon.
Priority routes of the modernized jeepneys are the following:
* Jaro CPU to Iloilo City and vice versa
* Jaro Tagbak to Iloilo City and vice versa
* Jaro Liko-NFA to Iloilo City and vice versa
* La Paz – Iloilo City and vice versa
* Molo – Iloilo City and vice versa
* Arevalo – Iloilo City and vice versa
* Mandurriao – Iloilo City and vice versa
Parcon said drivers of displaced traditional jeepneys would be hired by WVTC to drive the modernized jeepneys. They will have salaries to be released every 15th and 30th days of the month.
WVTC secured a loan from Land Bank of the Philippines to buy the modernized jeepneys.
A unit cost P2.5 million.
“Ang cooperative ang ma-manage sang mga modernized jeepneys. Si coop ang mabayad sa Land Bank,” said Parcon.
The fare would be P11 for the first four kilometers and an additional P1.80 per succeeding kilometer.
Parcon said air-conditioned modernized jeepneys offer comfort to passengers./PN
