Koronadal expedites crafting of public transport route plan

KORONADAL CITY -- The city government has moved to fast-track the crafting of its Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) to pave the way for the operationalization of its newly-completed PHP150-million integrated transport terminal.

City Mayor Peter Miguel said Friday they have commissioned a comprehensive study to establish the city’s public transportation system, traffic management, routes, and related development plans.

Miguel said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) required the completion of the route plan for the opening of the 5.9-hectare terminal complex in Purok Yellow Bell, Barangay Sta. Cruz.

“It’s now fully completed and ready for operationalization but we have to comply first with the necessary requirements,” he said.

The mayor said the LPTRP, which is being formulated by a technical team, will set the appropriate routes for existing modes of public transportation in the city. He specifically cited passenger buses, vans, multicabs, jeepneys, and tricycles operating in the area.

Miguel said the study includes the assessment of the traffic flow, impact of the traffic light systems, and vehicle capacity of road networks in the city’s 26 barangays.

The construction of the city traffic lights systems, which has a funding of PHP16 million, is ongoing in two major intersections.
“It will help us determine whether we need to open more roads and identify the diversion routes for vehicles going to nearby areas,” he said.

Once completed, Miguel said the route plan will be institutionalized through an ordinance, as set by the LTFRB. The city government had targeted to open the new city terminal within the month but decided to defer it due to pending “legal requirements.”

Aside from the route plan, the mayor said they are also waiting for the city council’s approval of the ordinance that will govern the operations and management of the terminal, which is touted as among the biggest and most modern in Mindanao. (PNA)