Jeep turf wars escalate; ‘final solution’ studied

By Isagani S. Liporada

BAGUIO CITY – Jeepney line “turf wars” have escalated here even as a “final solution” to satisfy grievances raised by the riding public and transport groups over traffic problems is being studied.

Transport leader Perfecto Itliong said his group is studying options under consideration by the city transportation and traffic management committee.

Itliong heads the Federation of Jitney Operators and Drivers Association of Baguio-Benguet-La Union (FEJODABB-LU).

The current traffic experiment came to fore because of questions which jeeps passengers could ride going through Magsaysay Avenue, Harrison Road, UP Drive, and Session Extension Road.

The PNR-Hillside jeep line is categorized under the ‘green trunkline’. Trancoville, Aurora Hill, and Leonila Hill jeeps fall under the ‘blue trunkline.’

In a petition dated June 21, PNR-Hillside operators and drivers group president Carlito Doming, et al. claimed the blue trunkline encroachment is devoid of legal basis and is contrary to Memorandum Circular 92-0012 of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board, dividing jeep operations into four trunklines.

Petitioners claimed, “our income was greatly reduced since our supposed passengers were taken by [Trancoville and Aurora Hill] jitneys.”

Presidents of associations falling under the blue trunkline meanwhile claimed the comfort and convenience of the riding public should be given more importance in addressing the green trunkline’s claims.

They added they suffered consequences of longer route which entails the more fuel consumption despite fluctuating number of passengers.

“Considering views from all sides,we believe the only way to address the grievances is to consider allowing the PNR-Hillside operators and drivers group now to traverse a common route with the blue trunkline jitneys within the CBD.” Itliong said.

“By allowing PNR-Hillside to pass through Bonifacio, Magsaysay, and Harrison going to its main destination in a manner similar to that of the old express route the blue trunkline traverses, said groups would now be sharing passengers in the CBD, share and share alike.”

“Besides,” he added, “If LTFRB allowed blue trunkline vehicles to go out of their real route then, we do not see any reason for PNR-Hillside not to be accorded the same treatment now.”

In relation to said proposal, meantime, FEJODABB-LU is likewise batting for the opening of the road along Sunshine Park to two-way traffic.

Itliong said two-way traffic would address noise and air pollution complaints from the University of the Philippines aside from addressing fuel concerns of passenger jitneys.

He added he will be calling for a meeting of leaders from affected transport groups before presenting his proposals to the TTMC in a meeting set Sept. 15.

“Hopefully, both trunklines agree to this solution so we could finally move on and give the riding public the convenience they are due,” he added.

Meantime, the city government extended traffic experiment covering Aurora Hill, Trancoville and Leonila Hill jeeps up to Sept. 27.