Modernized jeepneys to ply city streets next week

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

TWELVE units of modernized jeepneys of the Iloilo City Alliance Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative (ICAODTC) will start plying the streets next week.

Rizal Alido, president of City Loop Integrated Alliance of Jeepney Owners and Drivers’ Association (CLIAJODA) and board secretary of ICAODTC, said the air-conditioned jeepneys will finally ensure the hassle-free commuting experience that Ilonggos have long been waiting for.

“Dugay na nila ginahulat. More than the convenience, we offer safety, wala na hassle magbiyahe sila and makaabot sila sa ila offices fresh and on time,” Alido said.

According to Alido, the 12 units will serve four routes:

-Iloilo Terminal and General Services Inc. (ITGSI) terminal in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district going to the City Proper via Jaro CPU and vice versa;

-Jaro CPU Derecho route (from Barangay Sambag, Jaro to the City Proper and vice versa);

-ITGSI terminal in Barangay Ungka, Jaro to the City Proper via Diversion Road and vice versa; and

-Villa Baybay to City Proper and vice versa.

With authority from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the minimum fare for the modernized jeepneys is P10.50 – P12, Alido said.

The fully air-conditioned modernized jeepneys have a seating capacity of 23-25 persons.

“All the buses are air conditioned and ang capacity is 23-25 persons and pwede sila katindog during peak hours and it can accommodate 7-10 persons more,” he explained.

In terms of the payment method, an Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) will be used and will be activated by a beep card.

“We will be using AFCS and ang gamiton sang mga commuters will be loadable beep cards. Mangita pa kami outlets and stores na mabaligya sini but they can actually use this even in Manila,” he said.

One unit of modernized jeepney is worth P2.040 million, Alido said. 

The modernized jeepneys are compliant with the modernization program of the government.

Alido said they are still waiting for the delivery of the other units since they plan to deploy 110 units of modernized jeepneys in the city this year.

“Initial ang 12 units, we are expecting more units to be delivered here by our supplier this year para madivide na namon sa ruta and masustain namon ang amon pasahero,” he said.

By 2020, Alido said they aim to remove all old jeepney units from the city streets.

“We need to cope up with the number of units assigned to us kay by 2020 hopefully wala na sang daan nga unit sa dalanun,” he said.

The ICAODTC will be holding the blessing, inauguration, and launching of the modernized public utility jeepneys (PUJs) today, May 8, 2019, at Brgy. Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City.