Bacolod City, Philippines - The city government of Bacolod has announced plans to conduct a test run for five additional modern public utility jeepney (PUJ) routes in December. These routes will connect various commercial establishments near the provincial capitol.
According to Philippines News Agency, who presides over the Bacolod Traffic Authority Council (BTAC), the council approved the new routes during their recent meeting. Patrick Lacson, head of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, recommended these routes, which include Homesite, Fortune Towne, Alijis, Eroreco, and Shopping-La Salle. These routes will operate to and from Ayala Malls Capitol Central and the surrounding areas.
Mayor Benitez mentioned that the test run is scheduled to begin in the first week of December, pending the approval of the BTAC resolution by the City Council. Currently, only the Singcang-Airport and Tangub-bound modern jeepneys serve the area near Ayala Malls Capitol Central. The mall management has proposed an interim terminal for the new routes beside the parking area along San Juan Street to improve traffic management and accommodate daily commuters.
The new routes are part of the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, which initially identified 24 routes in Bacolod City.