Gwen defers new terminal rule

GOV. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday deferred the implementation of the policy to close the doors of the passengers’ lounge of the South Bus Terminal at certain hours of the day.

The policy, which would have been implemented on May 15, was aimed at cutting costs having less guards to secure the passengers’ lounge doors.

Garcia deferred the implementation of the policy after she met and heard the complaints of the bus operators yesterday.

Julito Flores, president of the Cebu South Minibus Operators Association, who met with Governor Garcia yesterday, said the new policy that was scheduled to be implemented on May 15 would adversely affect the operations of the buses and minibuses since they were operating 24 hours a day.

He also said the operators only knew of the policy yesterday after their drivers and conductors complained to them about the dry-run on May 5 and May 7 where the doors were closed at a certain time.

He said it was difficult for them to operate with the doors closed because it would force some passengers to wait outside the terminal.

After the meeting, Garcia said the present setup in the terminal would continue and the new policy would be deferred. /Correspondent Fe Marie D. Dumaboc

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