LTFRB-7 approves more MyBus units

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 has approved the franchise for six additional buses of SM’s MyBus units the other day.

LTFRB-7 Director Rey Elnar said that these buses will travel from Ta-lisay City to SM Seaside City at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.  With the approval of the franchise for the six buses, there are now nine MyBus units travelling the said route.

The Metro Rapid Transit System Inc., which is a joint venture of SM Holdings Inc. and Jam Transport, operates MyBus.

MRTSI has pending franchise applications before LTFRB-7 for the operation of its 77 units, which are considered high quality premium buses under SM’s High Quality Public Transport System project.

Several transport groups in Cebu have opposed the entry of 77 buses for the HQPTS, contending that these will worsen traffic condition in the city.

Those that opposed the MyBus units include the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Visayas United Drivers Transport and Allied Services Cooperative, Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association, Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association, Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association, and the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Central Visayas.

Elnar, though, said that another five MyBus units that already has a franchise for a Batangas-Manila route were already given a special permit by LTFRB Chairman Winston Gines to operate from SM City Cebu at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City to the Mactan Cebu International Airport and vice versa.

He said the five buses have a special permit that is valid until March  2016, but the trip from SM City Cebu to MCIA is only up to January 1, 2016.

After January 1, 2016, the five buses can still operate from MCIAA to Talisay City until the expiry of its special permit, Elnar said. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/RHM (FREEMAN)