Osmeña wants modern PUVs to ply Cebu routes ASAP

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has approved the proposed routes of Persano Corp. for the deployment of 40 modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the city.

Yesterday, CCTO Operations Chief Francisco Ouano told The FREEMAN that they see no problem with the routes the private firm had identified.

Last Monday, the firm has submitted the routes to the CCTO after being asked for review and evaluation.

There are two routes for the 40 PUVs.

The first route is from the Cebu City Hall to Asia Town I.T. Park, passing through Robinsons Galleria Cebu, Cebu Business Park and vice versa.

The second route is from R. Duterte Street to Sykes, which will pass via Happy Valley, Fuente Osmeña, Ramos Street, D. Jakosalem Street, Cebu Business Park and vice versa.

The projected fare is P8 and an additional of P1 for every succeeding kilometer.

Ouano said the proposed routes will be presented to the City Council for further approval.

Once Persano Corp. gets the nod of the council, these PUVs will be plying the city streets immediately.

The CCTO, however, will be monitoring its operation within 45 days for further adjustments.

Ouano said Mayor Tomas Osmeña wanted that these PUVs will start transporting commuters as soon as possible.

"Gipaninguha nato nga matabangan sila kay mao sad ang gusto sa mayor nga makasugod na sila dayon," he said.

However, Ouano said they will help Persano in identifying the loading and unloading area for these modern vehicles to avoid any traffic problem.

"Ang problema ani is ang loading and unloading kay dako man gud ni," he said.

These buses have a capacity of at least 30 individuals.

The deployment of these 40 units of PUVs is in accordance with the program of the national government modernizing the jeepneys.

These PUVs have Global Positioning System (GPS), wifi connection, curb side door, automatic fare system, dashboard cameras, and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras. — GAN (FREEMAN)