By Percy Roxas and Jasmine Bundalian
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to buy P150 million worth of electronic buses in September to help solve the apparent transportation problems within the Freeport, according to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan Tan.
Tan revealed this plan when he met with the media last week. “Within next month, we are going to purchase 10 electronic buses for SBMA,” Tan said.
He said this initiative would help provide “a more pleasurable experience [while inside the] freeport.”
The e-bus service will be provided for free, the SBMA head stressed.
Tan said he first became aware of the problem upon his assumption of office three months ago.
“I had dinner at one restaurant in the freeport, and the waiter was asking me to pay my bills at 8:30 p.m.
He said they have to close the restaurant at 9 p.m.
When I asked the waiter why they have to close so early, he replied: Sir, our boss needs to send us (the employees) to Magsaysay Gate because there is no available public transportation within the premises,” Tan recounted.
He added: “So, immediately, we created a Technical Working Group (TWG) for this.”
According to Tan, the TWG would help them choose the strategic bus stop locations “in consideration of the needs of the SBMA community, and the financial burden that commuting within freeport currently entails.”
In the past, many tourists, traders, residents and workers would complain about the cost of commuting within the freeport.
Often, locators, especially in areas far from the Central Business District (CBD), have to provide shuttle buses to pick up and send their employees to the Freeport Gate, adding to their overhead, the Freeport Insider learned.
Tourists who do not own private vehicles would complain of the difficulty of moving around and the expensive taxi fares.
Many workers have to shell out almost half their daily wage when they arrive late at the pick-up point designated by shuttle providers and take taxis to work.
“The electronic buses will serve as a lifeline,” Tan pointed out, adding that this would connect important spots in the CBD, such as Binictican, Kalayaan, Morong Gate, and Ocean Adventure.”
Tan hinted about the intricacies of government processes that require thorough procurement procedures for the e-bus project, noting that he and other SBMA officials were positive about making substantial progress next month.
“The process of finding the right electronic buses and establishing terminals and bus stops has begun, and the first 10 electronic buses should arrive at the freeport next month, Tan said. FREEPORT INSIDER
