Stickers with quick response codes have been issued to 239 consolidated public utility jeepney drivers in Bacolod City, as part of the interim period to change their units in December.

City Administrator Lucille Gelvolea said yesterday the jeepney drivers were already members of the consolidated group with a provisional authority (PA) valid until December of this year.

Gelvolea said the city government started to distribute stickers last April 30, the final franchise consolidation deadline under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

At least 24 routes in the city have been identified under the PUVMP, with a total allocation of 1,099 modern jeepney units.

Meanwhile, Gelvolea said the city government still needs around 700 modernized jeepney units to accommodate passengers from various barangays.

Under the city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan, she said, the city government could increase the number of jeepney units to avail of the PA./WDJ