Transport coop explains to council stop of operation

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordillera Basic Sectors Transport Cooperative (CBSTC) explained to the city council why its modernized jeepneys plying the Trancoville and Aurora Hill routes suddenly stopped operating.
    According to CBSTC secretary general Rex Bayangan, the cooperative decided to temporarily cease operations starting April 19 to “retrain” drivers, upgrade their automated fare collection, and disinfect modernized units to give more efficient service.
    Bayangan said while their modernized jeepneys temporarily stopped plying the roads, their traditional public utility jeepneys continue to operate to date.
    Lalaine Sobremonte, LTFRB-CAR OIC regional sirector, said the CBSTC did not ask permission from her office regarding its intent to suspend its operations.
    However, the temporary stoppage of operations of the modernized units has no significant impact on the accessibility of public transport along the said routes as there are other PUJs under other cooperatives plying those routes, Sobremonte added.
    She further revealed that the legal department of the regional office is studying whether a show cause order should be issued to the CBSTC due to the sudden stoppage.
    Bayangan assured the council that their modernized jeepneys will be back on the roads soon.

At the same time, he also denied the allegation that some drivers had not received their salaries, claiming the cooperative has records to prove that all the drivers were compensated even during the period where operations were suspended.

Drivers undergoing on-the-job training are paid P350/day plus a meal allowance worth P50.00 while those who passed the OJT have a rate of P700/day, the secretary general said.