350 PUJs get special permit for Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — To address the influx of people for tomorrow's Sinulog Grand Parade where millions are expected to attend, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 (LTFRB-7) has granted 350 special permits for jeepneys and minibuses to transport passengers outside of their usual route.

LTFRB-7 regional director Ahmed Cuizon in his Facebook page posted that for the Sto. Niño Procession (January 20) and Sinulog Grand Parade (January 21), some public utility jeepneys (PUJs) have been issued special permits to serve passengers, as follows:

For north-bound routes, 115 PUJs were given special permits to traverse V. Sotto Street to Lapu-Lapu City and vice versa. Another 115 PUJs were given special permits to traverse the V. Sotto Street to SM Consolacion via North Bus Terminal route and vice versa. Drivers granted these special permits will collect an additional P4.00 on top of the regular fare.

For South-Bound routes such as from the Shell Gas Station in V. Rama Avenue to Tabunok and vice versa, an additional 50 PUJs were granted special permits. Regular fare is implemented.

The LTFRB-7 is also opening  two other routes only for Sunday, the day of the Grand Parade.

One is from V. Rama Avenue to the Temporary Bus Terminal at the South Road Properties (SRP) and vice versa. 50 PUJs have been granted permit to traverse this route.  Twenty minibuses will be serving the route traversing from Compania Maritima to SRP Temporary Bus Terminal and vice versa.

For these routes, drivers will be charging a flat rate of P10.00 only during the Sinulog grand parade.

Cuizon warned that those drivers who will travel out-of-line and without the said special permit will be apprehended. Violators will be fined P3,000.00.

Last year, a total of 53 jeepney drivers, mostly travelling the routes heading to Lapu-Lapu City, Liloan and Consolacion towns, were apprehended for lack of special permits. (FREEMAN)