The Bacolod City government will continue the five-day dry run of the Vista Alegre-Burgos Market “green route” using electric or e-jeepneys on Thursday, May 16, after a dialog with the tricycle drivers who set up a blockade on Wednesday.
The dry run will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Mayor’s Office announced Wednesday night following a dialog between Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the opposing tricycle drivers.
The dry run of E-jeepneys plying the “green route” that started Wednesday night was blocked by tricycle drivers in Vista Alegre who said they would lose their means of livelihood.
E-jeepneys from the relocation site in Barangay Vista Alegre were about to leave when they were blocked by members of the Arao Vista Alegre Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association and the Kabacod Negros Transport Coalition.
Carlito Ronoma, ARVISTODA president, said they did not want their means of livelihood to be affected when the e-jeeps start regular operations in the area.
Ronoma said the trial run should stop, they will set up a barricade for the duration of the five-day trial run, even if they have to sleep on the road.
“If we allow their operations we will be paralyzed,” he said.
Councilor Al Victor Espino said the new route was requested by the residents of the Vista Alegre relocation site to reduce the number of vehicles they have to take to get to the city daily and the cost of transportation.
The people of the area were the ones who made the request, which the city government acted on, he said.
There are 22,000 residents at the relocation site while the group of tricycle drivers is composed of about 90 members, he said.
The dry run has the mandate of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Land Transportation Office, he said.
City Administrator Lucille Gelvolea the tricycles drivers would still have passengers to ferry to the E-jeep terminal.
Commuter Leonora Moralde asked why the E-jeep operation that would be more convenient for residents at less cost was being blocked by the tricycle drivers.
The city government earlier announced that the e-jeeps would provide free rides during the trial run.
Benitez said that at least eight e-jeepneys are available for the dry run of the Vista Alegre and Cabug loops.
“I think this is the first in the country. We have eight e-jeeps ready to be deployed. They have already obtained the certificate of compliance for registration,” he said.*