City asked to allow buses for commuters to Galleria

CEBU, Philippines - A transport company wants to provide “high quality bus service” for people going to and from the Robinsons Galleria at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City.

“LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) advised us to obtain the necessary endorsement from Cebu City endorsing and/or certifying the need of the service (High Quality Bus Service) so that they can issue a CPC (Certificate of Public Convenience) for additional units serving the north and south of Cebu City direct to RGC in accordance with your designated route,” reads the February 2 letter of Cebu City KMK Transport Corporation President Richard Cabucos to Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr.

Archival is chairman of the City Council’s committee on energy, transportation, communication, and other utilities.

At present, KMK holds a CPC for its service for Naga City, Minglanilla, and Talisay City going to SM City Cebu.

The Council is scheduled to discuss KMK’s request together with representatives from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), Robinsons Galleria, and transport groups during its session on Wednesday.

Last year, with only nine PUJ routes covering the mall’s premises, Robinsons Land Corporation Regional Operations Manager Floramie Vega asked the city government for additional PUJs but CCTO said it was not necessary.

CCTO acting department head Rafael Yap and some transport groups opposed the idea as the same would reportedly result to traffic congestion in the area.

Yap said the 928 jeepneys plying routes that pass by the mall is enough to ferry passengers.

Last November 20, Cabucos sent a communication to Vega expressing the company’s intent to put up a bus service going to and from San Fernando, Cebu to Cebu City and from Compostela town to Cebu City and vice versa, with a specific stop at Robinsons Galleria.

With this, Cabucos requested the mall management to provide space at the parking area for buses within the premises of the mall’s property to load and unload passengers.

In a January 21, 2016 letter, Vega told Cabucos that the mall management is amenable to the proposal.

“In our thrust to improve accessibility of Robinsons Galleria Cebu, we are amenable to this proposal subject to terms and conditions acceptable to Robinsons Land Corporation and Cebu City KMK Transport Corporation,” Vega said, adding, that she is willing to meet the officials of the transport group for the proposal. — /JMO (FREEMAN)