A total of 118 modernized vehicles are now serving the different routes in Caraga Region, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

LTFRB-Caraga OIC-Director Maria Kristina Cassion said the modernized vehicles are all compliant to omnibus franchising guidelines and part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the government.

Of the total number, 20 are buses operated by Bachelor Express, Inc. plying the route of Butuan City to Surigao City.

Another 28 modernized public utility jeeps (PUJs) are also serving routes 1, 2 and 10 and the Butuan-Nasipit route under the management of Diamond Transport Service Cooperative (DATSCO), Cassion said.

She added that a total of 70 taxis now serve commuters to all routes in Caraga Region.

“The PUV Modernization Program is the administration’s largest non-infrastructure project which aims to provide a comfortable life for all Filipinos through a safe, reliable, convenient, affordable, and environmentally-sustainable transportation system in the country,” Cassion said.

She also expressed optimism that the modernization program will be pushed through, saying it is about time to improve the transport situation in Caraga Region.

“One important factor that contributes to the realization of this program is our pro-activeness, especially in addressing the issues and concerns of the various transport service cooperatives and corporations,” Cassion said.

She said LTFRB-Caraga will continue to provide technical assistance to the transport service cooperatives in the area.

Meanwhile, Cassion pointed out that PUVMP is not merely a vehicle modernization program but a comprehensive system of reforms that will entirely change the public land transportation industry.

“This program is not impossible. We have already started it. We have made gradual but impactful changes in our units that received positive feedback from the commuting public. This goes to show that the PUV Modernization Program has really worked,” she said. (PNA)