Southbound V-hires moved again: CitiCenter terminal

CEBU, Philippines - After moving from one location to another, the vans-for-hire heading to and from southern Cebu have a new terminal. This time it is the open space in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City, where the old CitiCenter used to stand.

Rafael Christopher Yap, head of Cebu City Transportation Office, said the move in letting the more than 200 southbound v-hires use the area is only an "experimental scheme."

The FREEMAN visited the site yesterday and talked to Doug-las Labra, who identified himself as the designated caretaker of the loading and unloading station of v-hires now called the "South GT Express Terminal."

Labra said their transfer is a dry run that started on September 19 and will carry on for three months to see how feasible it can be for them to use the area.

If the project's proponents and traffic managers find the scheme effective, then establishing a permanent terminal for v-hires in the downtown area can become possible.

Labra clarified that it was the v-hire drivers and operators who identified the site and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña approved the idea. Labra said he hopes the issue will not be dragged into the city council's political feud.

One v-hire driver plying the Cebu-Moalboal route who requested anonymity, said they lobbied for setting up another terminal that is more accessible to more passengers so that they can recover from the losses they suffered.

He alleged that they were losing a lot of passengers and income when they occupied a terminal in the South Road Properties.

"Amo kining kabubut-on ug kami g'yud ang nangita ani. Nihangyo mi sa mayor. Nihinay g'yud among pangwarta sa terminal sa una. Mga driver gani wala'y gipangkaon," he claimed.

He said the terminal they previously occupied was not convenient for their passengers who had to take two rides from the downtown area just to get to them.

Jelyn Tilan, 27, shared their sentiments saying that transportation is more accessible in the downtown where many public utility jeepneys can take them to the location in Kamagayan.

Tilan further said she did not patronize the v-hires when they had their terminal in the SRP as she had to spend between P60 and P80 alone getting there from her boarding house in Barangay Labangon. She said she chose between taking a cab or the bus going home for weekend visits to her family in Barangay Talavera, Toledo City.

However, as Tilan patiently waited in the searing afternoon heat yesterday, she also said the area is still exposed to rain and heat, and there were no restrooms.

The open space is also shared by Farmer's Market vendors and their stalls of fresh farm produce and other agricultural products.

Various locations

After the One Citilink Terminal was closed by former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama, drivers were asked to temporarily stay at the Taboan Public Market in Barangay Pahina Central. Days later, they were transferred to the Compania Maritima grounds near the Cebu City Hall, but drivers complained they were vulnerable to the heat and rainfall in the open space.

Months later, some v-hire drivers agreed to transfer to a terminal in the SRP, but still the drivers complained it was now hard for their passengers to reach them.

Labra considered the previous initiatives a failure and said there is a need to address the traffic problem in the city.

He said having a proper terminal is one of way to address the traffic problem aside from disciplining drivers and pedestrians on the existing traffic code. He added v-hire drivers and operators also wanted to coordinate with CCTO.

"We need the guidance of CCTO, come and teach us," he said.

Labra also asked the traffic enforcers to be tolerant of v-hire drivers who have not been briefed about what route to take leaving their new terminal on their way south, and lay down the law only when some drivers prove to be stubborn. (FREEMAN)