45 E-Jeeps Now Plying the Routes to Tacloban’s Resettlement Sites After Launching

After it was cancelled last 15 December 2017 due to heavy rains brought about by typhoon Urduja, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) finally launched here on Tuesday the initial implementation of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

The launching, held at Tacloban’s Rizal Park, is the first in the country.

“Giving its sweeping and inclusive impact, the PUV modernization program will provide accessibility to the farthest barrios previously unreached by our transportation system,” DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark Richmond De Leon said at the launching.

The official further said that jeepneys will not be phased out but it would be better this time with the introduction of 45 e-jeeps by Solartech and Star8 now plying the routes going to the north resettlement sites.

The e-jeeps will not only help the transportation concerns of Yolanda survivors but also provide an environmentally-sound mode of transportation in the city.

Contrary to reports, the PUV modernization program is not anti-poor. In fact, apart from financial assistance, the program will benefit the commuters who deserve a better than dilapidated or smoke-belching jeepneys.

“Modernization plans are not without challenges. In fact, they can be very painful but the DOTr and LTFRB are doing everything to make the transition easier.  We will be helping our drivers and operators to enter into this new system with a very generous financing package,” De Leon said.

The implementation of the PUV modernization program may not be easy as it talks about a large-scale transformation of the public transport sector where the whole industry or institution will be overhauled.

Following the wrath of super typhoon Yolanda, the national government provided six buses to ferry those who’d been relocated to northern barangays to ease their transportation problem. However, a more comprehensive plan was introduced by DOTr to Taclobanons to initially implement the new system.

The new transport system is a big boost to the city’s development especially that Tacloban is on the track of regaining its economy.

The introduction of the e-jeeps plying to the northern barangays is indeed beneficial, particularly to the beneficiaries of the permanent Yolanda Housing.