BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – Following reports of reckless driving incidents involving modernized jeepneys, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) of the city government is contemplating conducting training sessions for drivers.
This aims to ensure that drivers are adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle the new vehicles safely, said PSTMO chief Jeck Conlu.
For this goal, collaborations with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and transport cooperatives are in the works. An accreditation scheme for drivers is being planned, emphasizing the need for proper training before they can operate modernized jeepneys.
“Many drivers are accustomed to traditional jeeps. They might not realize that the modernized versions are larger and wider,” said Conlu.
Vis-à-vis the impending implementation of the enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), Conlu hopes that transport cooperatives will seriously address the issue of reckless driving, which he considers a significant problem.
The PSTMO, he revealed, has received numerous reports about such behavior.
“It reminds me of previous complaints about traditional jeep drivers. Some of these drivers transitioned to modernized jeeps without the proper training or seminars on handling these larger vehicles,” said Conlu.
He also revealed that, “We’re drafting a driving manual for our drivers. While LTO has their guidelines, we’re creating a local version to ensure our modernized jeepney drivers are more responsible.”
“We hope to commence the training early next year. If a driver doesn’t pass, they won’t be permitted to drive a modernized jeep,” said Conlu./PN
