Operators of southbound public utility minibuses under the United Negros Drivers Operators Center are asking the Bacolod City government to implement its proposed loading bay outside the waiting station in Libertad Street.

Roadstar president Jovito Gaton yesterday said this proposal was supposed to have been implemented Monday but the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office cannot start painting the sidewalk to mark the loading bay because the operator of LCC, or the La Carlota Express, is complaining about the arrangement.

Gaton said LCC wanted to transfer to the third or fourth block being occupied by Roadstar and SDL. He suggested that they implement the proposal first and then conduct a traffic experiment before they react or complain to avoid problems.

LCC reportedly wants minibus operators to draw lots.

Gaton said he is requesting the government to first implement the proposal since there is now tension between the drivers and operators of LCC and Roadstar.

If there are any problems after the proposed loading bay has been implemented, that is when they should complain, he said.

LLC became a member of UNDOC recently without them being informed, he added.

UNDOC secretary general Jessie Ortega said they will hold a meeting this week to discuss the matter in order to find a solution to the problem.

Traffic Management Unit head and Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said the minibus owners have submitted a proposal to his office regarding the loading bay in Libertad.

They have suggested that each minibus be designated a space in the loading bay so their passengers will know where to go, he said. He has submitted their proposal to BTAO head Chief Insp. Luisito Acebuche for study, he added.

Sayson said he was informed that there was partial implementation of the proposal but there was a complaint from a group of minibus owners who do not agree with the plan.

They will conduct another dialog because they want everybody to be satisfied with arrangement, he said. He added, however, that at the end of the day it will be the decision of the city government that will prevail.

Sayson said he will follow up the proposal with Acebuche.*CGS

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