ILOILO City – Modern jeepneys of Metro Express Connect, Inc. may resume their operation from the transport terminal in Pavia, Iloilo to Oton, Iloilo any time, according to Pavia Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Jose Maria Trimañez.
Local governments have no authority to suspend the operation of public utility vehicles, said Trimañez, citing the position of Director Richard Osmeña of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 during a recent consultation.
The chairperson of the SB committee on transportation dismissed previous reports that it was the local government of Pavia that halted Metro Express’ operation in the municipality.
Metro Express voluntarily stopped its operation in Pavia pending its accreditation with the committee on transportation, said Trimañez.
To secure accreditation, a transport entity must submit, among others, a business permit, company profile, route plan, and franchise.
Trimañez, however, clarified that even without an accreditation, Metro Express jeepneys may still operate in Pavia.
In going to Oton, Metro Express jeepneys passed by the following Pavia barangays: Ungka II, Ungka I, Aganan, Pandac, Balabag, and Hibao-an.
Metro Express jeepneys started operating on July 31 but later voluntarily halted temporarily its Pavia route until it had secured accreditation.
Trimañez welcomed Metro Express’ decision.
“Again, wala kami nagabalag. Dapat lang sundon ang tsakto nga proseso kag mag-coordinate sa LGU,” he stressed.
Jojit Dueñas, operations head of Metro Express, said they would resume their Pavia operation soon.
“I have submitted all documents required by the Sangguniang Bayan. I’m just waiting for a favorable response,” he said.
Metro Express’ modern jeepneys are equipped with the following:
* security cameras
* WiFi
* Global Positioning System
* automatic fare collection system
* television monitors
* air-conditioning
Looking more like small school buses than the traditional passenger jeepneys, the modern jeepneys are also “friendly” to persons with disabilities./PN
Certainly, Metro Express is a nice mode of transportation from the line that concerns me, Mohon – Vista Mall. It would be even much better if they would be able to operate on a regular schedule, such as leaving on the hour and half hour, rather than whatever time they feel like running the buses.
I give you an example. I live in Villa. One day the bus can pass by at 8:25 AM. The next day, it can come at 8:35, and the following day at 8: 20 or 8:40. Why such a great variation in schedule. I leave only about 5 minute from the Mohon Terminal and I cannot understand this situation.
I have to admit, I am a Senior Citizen, and it is not comfortable to have to wait 25 minutes on the roadside to wait for a bus that may eventually appear.