Transit group: PUJs should not be limited on where to pick-up/drop off
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Councilor Dindo Ramos vowed to present the demands of several southbound public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators to both Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO). Following a rerouting plan for jeepneys operating between Central Market and Barangays Punta Taytay, Sum-ag, Tangub, Singcang-Airport, and Magsungay, operators are calling for a fare hike.
Among the other demands brought forward, Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators sa Negros Secretary-General Jessie Ortega said they want the city government and BTAO to stop apprehending drivers who violate the rerouting scheme. He claimed over 100 PUJ operators were apprehended and fined for establishing illegal terminals and obstruction and suggested the city government instead “educate them over the ongoing traffic experimentation.”
The transit group official said the city should not limit where PUJs can pickup or drop off passengers.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (Febacda) believes BTAO traffic enforcers are unaware of the new rerouting scheme.
Febacda Secretary-General Elizabeth Katalbas said she echoes Ortega’s sentiment and suggested a “one week information dissemination period” prior to implementing the rerouting scheme.
She also called apprehensions of operators who do not pass the Bacolod Vendors’ Plaza “unfair” and said PUJs should have up to five minutes to stop at the public transport terminal at the corner of Father M. Ferrero-Burgos Streets.
Prior to the rerouting scheme’s implementation last September 10, both the city government and BTAO earlier released information on their plans towards the end of August./DGB, WDJ