Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is meeting Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office officials on Saturday, November 19, to discuss a transition phase for the remaining operators of traditional jeepneys to join the public utility vehicle modernization program.
The 15-day LTFRB ceasefire on the apprehension of traditional jeepneys without franchises in Bacolod ends next week.
Benitez said he met with the operators of the traditional jeepneys on Thursday and they want to join the modernization program with certain provisions.
He asked them to itemize their proposed provisions to be included in the modernization program in a letter signed by all of them so he can present them to the LTFRB, Benitez said.
The mayor said he saw some valid points to their suggestions and if they are technically correct, he will lobby for their approval
If the LTFRB agrees we can come up with a transition plan by Monday, he said.
Benitez said he will also lobby for an increase in the number of modernized jeepneys allowed for Bacolod that currently is at 1,099. Bacolod will need at least 2,000 modern jeepneys, he said.*