V-hire allowed access to two mall terminals

CEBU, Philippines - At least 60 vans-for-hire plying the Cebu City-Balamban route are now allowed to use the terminals of the two giant shopping malls in the city in lieu of the Cebu South Bus Terminal.

The new set up came after the Cebu City Transportation Office board approved a resolution authorizing the v-hire drivers and operators of Cebu-Balamban route to use the terminals of SM City Cebu and Ayala Cebu.

“Now it seems the malls are more convenient for their passengers to load and unload, at the same time easy access towards their other destinations. They will utilize malls terminals now, not the South Bus Terminal.

They may have thought that passengers can save fare if they proceed directly to and from the malls terminals,” said lawyer Rey Gealon, acting executive director of CCTO.

The vans-for-hire plying Balamban town were moved to CSBT since the first week of February from the temporary terminal provided by the city government at the Compania Maritima following the closure of the One Citilink Terminal.

“The consensus was reached following the board’s deliberation that it is best to all concerned that they directly load and unload there as these malls are the usual destinations of passengers. Besides, they can conveniently take a ride there to their other destinations,” Gealon recalled.

The CCTO official also believes that placing the v-hire at the mall terminal will be “more receptive” to the traffic conditions of the city. Of the 60, at least 30 will be at SM City Cebu while the other half will be in Ayala Cebu. The terminals, however, can only accommodate 15 vans-for-hire at a time.

Gealon said the mall management welcomed the development as it would be beneficial to them.

Drivers and operators, however, will be required by mall management to submit copies of their certificates of registration, official receipt, certificates of public convenience, including the drivers’ license.  (FREEMAN)