BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department (BTTMD) has initiated a traffic sticker scheme for consolidated traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to prepare the city for the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
The PUVMP, which aims to modernize and improve public transportation, will involve replacing outdated public utility vehicles with safer, more environmentally-friendly alternatives.
The scheme began last week, with stickers being issued to PUJs that meet specific requirements, including possession of a mayor’s permit, consolidation, insurance, and franchise or provisional authority.
Jose Antonio Robello, deputy officer-in-charge of BTTMD, explained that the scheme is part of an effort to conduct a physical inventory of active PUJs in relation to the planned phase-out of older models.
“We need to confirm whether the city is ready for the phase-out. We want to ensure that modernized buses and consolidated jeepneys can replace traditional units,” Robello said.
As of now, BTTMD has prepared 1,200 stickers, with about 600 already distributed to eligible PUJs. The department is coordinating with the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) to confirm how many PUJs have received the necessary permits to qualify for the stickers.
If all 1,200 stickers are issued, this will signal the city’s preparedness for the phase-out. Robello noted that when transport strikes are organized by unconsolidated PUJs, the city often faces a shortage of operating jeepneys, as consolidated units do not participate in the protests.
The stickers are intended to assure the public of the safety and legitimacy of the vehicles, as they confirm that the PUJs are insured and compliant with the regulations of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
However, Robello clarified that the stickers do not exempt the PUJs from traffic violations. “PUJs with stickers will still be apprehended if they violate traffic rules,” he said./PN
