Iloilo City prepares metro transport plan

ILOILO City – This city will beat the February 2019 deadline for a Local Public Transport Route Plan Manual, according to the head of the city government’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO).

Working on the transport plan is very tedious, according to Jeck Conlu, because they have to consider a lot of factors, and because data gathering delays the preparation.

“We need to coordinate with our MIGEDC (Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic and Development Council) members because they also ply city routes,” he said.

The PSTMO hopes to complete the plan – a mandatory requirement under the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

Under the modernization program, the number of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will be reduced; the units will be designed to look like mini buses that have a bigger capacity.

The PSTMO is also studying which routes to reduce the number of PUJs plying and which routes could increase the number of PUJs they could accommodate.

Moreover, said Conlu, transport associations will be formed into cooperatives so that should there be a need to talk to the sector, they would be talking with the cooperatives.

“Whether we like it or not, our direction is towards modernization,” he said.

The plan would also cover taxicabs, specifically if there is a need to add more.

“For now, there is a franchise moratorium for taxis. After we have completed the transport plan, the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) may consider lifting the moratorium,” said Conlu.

There were over 3,000 franchises issued in the past.

Conlu said PSTMO would also be studying routes for tricycles.

Under the modernization program, tricycles are no longer allowed on national highways.

Meanwhile, PSTMO plans to hold consultations with transport groups in line with the proposed Advanced Traffic Management and Security Surveillance System.

The system makes use of technology to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, Conlu said. (PNA)