The Cebu Provincial Government is preparing to launch its P20-million Tabang PangByahe bus program in October as it works with participating local government units (LGUs) to finalize bus stops and other operational arrangements.
The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) met with traffic managers from participating LGUs on Aug. 27 to discuss proposed bus stop locations and other preparations for the rollout.
The program will initially serve two major corridors: Cebu IT Park to Danao City in the north and Cebu South Bus Terminal to Simala in Sibonga in the south.
The northern route will pass through Mandaue City, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Danao City.
The southern route will cover Talisay City, Minglanilla, Naga City, San Fernando, Carcar and Sibonga.
Under the current plan, each participating LGU will have three designated bus stops. The province said the stops will help organize passenger boarding and alighting and reduce queues and waiting times.
The provincial government is also setting service standards for participating buses, covering trip availability, vehicle cleanliness, passenger comfort and orderly loading and unloading.
The program will also enforce a strict no-standing-passenger policy.
Despite its name, Tabang PangByahe will not provide free rides. Instead, the program will use a P20-million subsidy from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to support additional bus services along the two corridors.
A selected bus operator will receive the subsidy, subject to the program’s operational requirements and service standards.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will provide technical and regulatory assistance to the provincial government.
The province developed the program in response to challenges facing Cebu’s public transport system, including the reduction in deployed public utility vehicles amid rising fuel costs.
The subsidy is intended to encourage bus operators to add services while meeting standards for passenger safety, comfort and reliability.
Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro earlier described Tabang PangByahe as a provincially driven effort to improve public transportation in Metro Cebu.
During a consultation with LGUs on June 5, Baricuatro said the province wanted to significantly improve the commuting experience through its own transport program.
Unlike assistance programs that directly subsidize fuel or other operating costs, Tabang PangByahe will subsidize bus operations in exchange for compliance with specified service standards.
With the October launch approaching, the province and participating LGUs are now finalizing the remaining details, including the designated bus stops, before the two pilot corridors begin operations.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
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