Sunday, May 21, 2006

Color-coding on jeepneys costly: group

THE plan to impose a color-coding on all public utility jeepneys in the country to boost tourism is not practical at a time when prices of commodities are steadily rising, a jeepney group said on Friday.

Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap)-Baguio president Perfecto Itliong Jr. said re-painting one jeepney unit to conform to the color of the trunk lines in Baguio is too expensive.

Repainting of one jeepney unit costs P20,000 to P25,000.

Itliong said that aside from repainting, paper work is also involved in the process since clearances will also have to be obtained from the Traffic Management Group (TMG), the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The tourism department is eyeing the color-coding of public utility vehicles similar to the transportation system in Olongapo City.

As the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is bent on strictly imposing the practice of hygiene among public utility drivers, Itliong urged local commuters to also report to the Traffic Management Branch of the Baguio City Police Office violations on hygiene and non-use of driver's identification cards and uniforms.

He said there is an existing memorandum circular, which mandates drivers to always wear their prescribed uniforms, to provide garbage receptacles within the jeep, and to maintain their personal hygiene all the time.

He advised commuters to record the plate number of the jeep and submit this to the president of the concerned association so that appropriate action could be done. (RO SunStar)