The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the franchise application of the Asia’s Latin City Transport Service Cooperative (ALTSCOOP) to operate additional 50 taxi units in this city.

Lawyer Martin Delgra, LTFRB chairman, said Tuesday the approval of the franchise was in support of the transport modernization program of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), on orders of the President, launched the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in 2017, with the goal of making the country’s public transportation system efficient and environmentally friendly by 2020.

PUVMP calls for the phasing out of jeepneys, buses, and other Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) that are at least 15 years old and replacing them with safer, more comfortable and more environment-friendly alternatives over the next three years.

The entry of the additional 50 units will increase the number of taxis playing this city to 150 units. Some 100 units have been servicing the local riding public since 2017.

Delgra underscored the need for additional taxi units to serve the local riding public, noting that the economy of this city has significantly improved.

“The local economy is improving and the quality of service for public transport has to be addressed,” Delgra said.

The LTFRB official said it is the responsibility of the local government to put in place a viable transport system in order to improve the quality of service to the riding public. (PNA)