100 more modern jeeps to ply metro

CEBU, Philippines —  One hundred new units of modern jeepneys will soon ply Metro Cebu as the Cebu People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative recently inaugurated its units.

Macario G. Quevedo, chief executive officer of CPMPC, said that they are one with the government in its goal to modernize the public transportation industry in the country, particularly in Cebu.

CPMPC, one of the biggest and multi-awarded cooperatives in the country, has now a total of 170 airconditioned modern jeepney units named as PeoplesJeep.

PeoplesJeep is a transport service operation which is owned and operated by CPMPC that has over 70,000 members nationwide.

Quevedo said of the 170 units, 60 of these were already running in the different routes in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue while ten units were being used to transport the cooperative’s employees.

The remaining 100 units await the issuance of Land Transportation of Public Route Plan (LTPRP) specifically in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue. Once issued, this will soon travel.

“Our acquisition of new units of modern PUVs is our response to the government’s call for a massive industry-wide transport modernization providing efficient, safe and comfortable public transportation to the riding public while at the same time promoting pro-environment initiatives for a cleaner and better tomorrow,” Quevedo said in a statement.

Currently the routes of PeoplesJeep in Metro Cebu includes Bulacao - SM City Cebu; Pit-Os - Talamban - Colon (62B); Urgello - Parkmall Mandaue via Colon (01K); N. Bacalso Ave (Citi Hardware Bulacao) - Capitol via Osmeña Boulevard; Ayala Cebu - Ibabao Mandaue (20B); and JCenter Mall Mandaue - Ayala Mall Cebu.

Quevedo added that the cooperative’s brand new Durabus Zhongtong Class 2 modern jeepneys are compliant with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine National Standards.

The modern jeepneys feature a global positioning system (GPS), speed limiter, front and rear cameras, indoor TV for entertainment, a foam seats and are powered by environmentally-compliant Euro 4/5 diesel engines which significantly reducing their carbon and sulfur emissions.

Each unit has also an Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), which is required under the PUV modernization program of the government.

The CPMPC has partnered with beep cards operator, AF Payments Inc., the leading AFCS provider in the country.

It can be recalled that the Department of Transportation has eyed to gradually replace old jeepneys with new units to reform the public land transport industry.

With this, state-run lenders Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines have specialized loan financing programs that aim to help transport corporations and cooperatives acquire modern and environment-friendly jeepney units.

Quevedo added that the program has significantly benefited drivers as they now receive monthly fixed salary and other benefits.

A transport cooperative ideally manages the PUV fleet management and distributes the monthly income to its owners and drivers.

Meanwhile, he said that CPMPC is looking to hire at least 300 new drivers in preparation for the new routes that will soon open in Metro Cebu as they plan to employ more passenger service officers.

“We thank our partners, our funding institutions in government, government regulators and our transport operators for this new milestone of our cooperative,” Quevedo said. — GMR (FREEMAN)