Backpackers and excursionists planning trips to Camotes Island Group to experience pristine beaches and amazing caverns will enjoy a safe bus travel from this capital city starting on May 4, a transport official said Tuesday.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region 7 (LTFRB-7) Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said the inclusion of a route to Camotes, located north of Cebu province, will largely benefit travelers who prefer riding a bus in going to and from the island’s tourist spots.

An ongoing agency research, Montealto said, indicated that many individuals would just carry their backpacks and hop on buses or board a vessel to visit different destinations.

This prompted the capitol to boost the land transport system serving Poro, San Francisco, Tudela and Pilar towns on the island group, the official added.

On May 4, a missionary route will be covered with a special permit pending the issuance of a memorandum circular that will make the Camotes trip permanent and open to all interested transport cooperatives and companies, Montealto said.

The four experimental bus units originating from the Cebu South Bus Terminal will no longer pass the Danao City Port in taking a Roll-on Roll-off vessel to Poro; instead, it will take the Liloan Port, which is much closer to this capital city.

“The Cebu provincial government is in constant communication with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the finalization of their Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP). The final LPTRP will include the Cebu City-Camotes route,” Montealto said, adding that Bohol province will also submit its own LPTRP.

Once the DOTr issues the notice of approval, Montealto’s office will certify that the respective Provincial Board of Cebu and Bohol are authorized to pass an ordinance laying down inter-town routes.

According to the LTFRB-7 data, Cebu’s LPTRP will cover 138 routes and 72 in Bohol.

“LTFRB-7 commends Governor Gwen Garcia for her persistence in passing Cebu LPTRP which will cover an estimated 3,500 modern public utility jeepneys. Not included here are units and routes of the tri-cities (Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu),” Montealto said.

In Bohol, 550 modern jeepneys are up for inclusion in its LPTRP, he added. (PNA)