Koronadal prepares for master route plan implementation
The City Local Government Unit (LGU) is currently preparing for the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), the city’s master route plan after the approval of the Land Transportation Franchise Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region XII.
While the project will go through a long process before it is fully implemented, City Architect and Environmental Planner Marvin Alegria-Technical Working Group (TWG) head of LPTRP said the city needs to prepare for it as significant changes are expected to take place wherein there are sectors that will be affected while others will benefit on it.
Meanwhile, among the city’s preparations are the livelihoods for the tricycle drivers, including the “kolorum” which is believed to be highly affected by the implementation of the master route plan. However, Alegria clarified that those newly purchased and manufactured “kolorum” tricycle cannot avail of the said livelihood.
Aside from the revenue resources being planned by the city government, Alegria also encourages all tricycle operators and owners to form a cooperative and apply a franchise at LTFRB, since the agency gives priority to the organized group.
In addition, the said official also explained that having a local public transport route plan will not mean excruciating tricycle drivers and commuting public, in fact it has a positive effect on everyone. He further discussed that tricycles will not be totally dissolved, but will only be transferred to a route based on their area of jurisdiction. However, if they are members of the cooperative and their tricycle continues to hover, this could also an avenue to increase their income. For those who travel it doesn’t contribute to the extra fee, but due to the four wheel drive entry where the minimum fee is only Php10.00, the commuters may pay even less.
Consequently, if the route plan be instigated, 11 routes will be activated to ensure that it will not be difficult for the passengers to take a ride. Thus, city routes will also be changed, including the banning of all tricycles passing through or crossing the national highway and they will be replaced by a four-wheel drive vehicle. According to Alegria, the purpose of banning tricycles on national roads is to prevent road accidents caused by small vehicles such as tricycles, and at the same time, electronic jeepneys will be introduced based on the mandate of the national government. Currently, there are two (2) franchises ready to serve in Koronadal based on the accreditation of LTFRB Reg. XII.
The city’s route plan was formulated based on the joint Memorandum Circular (MC) of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation (DOTr) and LTFRB which took seven (7) months before it was being approved by the latter due to the conduct of thorough study by the concern agencies and also due to the onset of COVID-19 pandemic.