UV Express, jeepneys have to use PITX, says leaked LTFRB memorandum

Aside from buses, UV Express units and jeepneys will be ordered to make a stop at Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), according to a leaked memorandum, a report by Saleema Refran on Balitanghali said Sunday.

The memorandum saying that these public utility vehicles coming from the Coastal Road and CavitEx will have to load and unload passengers at PITX was signed by all members of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) except for Aileen Lizada.

According to the report, she said that this could favor some bus operators and violate the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act.

According to Department of Transportation (DOTr), the leaked memorandum is not official.

"Supposed to be babawasan mo nga 'yung volume, but now ia-allow mo na naman 'yung certain number of buses to enter Manila," said Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP) executive director Alex Yague.

“Kasi ang Metro Manila na rate ay higher than the provincial rate na pamasahe," he added.

'Nga-nga'

Meanwhile, fewer passengers are using PITX due to the lack of buses in the terminal.

"'Di ba sa balita, dito na nga ang sakayan papunta roon? Pumunta naman kami dito. Wala, nga-nga," passenger Lorna Gabito said.

Some drivers also noticed that some trips in the terminal are not available.

"'Yung pasahero po kasi pagdating dito, lumalabas din, kasi 'yung kanilang pupuntahan wala silang masakyan," jeepney driver Antonio Aresgado said.

The United Cavite Operators Association (UCAO) admitted that around 700 buses from Cavite are not using PITX.

"Wala ho kayong makitang bus operator na dumadaan diyan," UCAO president Nes Martinez said.

PITX general manager Mariano Arroyo Jr. asked for the public understanding and said that the facility was still going through "birthing pains."

"Nanganganak po tayo. Kailangan ng kaunting pag-iintindi, kaunting pagtitiis,"  he said.

Added waiting time and fare

The report also said that passengers who have to board again at PITX will have to pay these minimum fares again: P10 for jeepneys, P11 for modern jeepneys, and P13 for air-conditioned bus.

“Yung isang sakay namin, nagdoble-doble na,” a passenger said.

"Puro matagal, tapos dag-dag pasahe," said another. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News