• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city government will offer free rides today, March 23, so that commuters will not be severely affected by the scheduled strike of transport groups due to nonstop, big-time fuel price hikes.
The trips will be at 6:30 in the morning, and at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., depending on the routes and assembly points.
The routes include the Bata area, with assembly point at Mormons’ Church, going to Lacson, Rizal, plaza, Gatuslao, Burgos to the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC); Sum-ag area with assembly at Phoenix Gas Station, to Araneta Street, plaza, Gatuslao and Burgos streets to BCGC;
Alangilan area, from Alangilan Church to Granada, Burgos, Lacson, Rizal, to plaza; Felisa area – Bangga Totong via Mansilingan, with assembly area at Bangga Totong and traversing Mansilingan Proper, Bangga Cory, BCGC, Burgos, Lacson, Rizal to plaza; Handumanan area via Mansilingan, with assembly at Handumanan gym traversing Mansilingan Proper, Bangga Cory, BCGC, Burgos, Lacson, Rizal, to plaza; and Handumanan area via Cabug, with assembly area at Handumanan gym towards Bangga Cabug, Circumferential Road, Bangga Cory, Hernaez Street (Libertad Market), Araneta Street to plaza.
The final destination during the morning trip will be the assembly time for the afternoon and evening trips.
Patrol vehicles of the police will also offer free rides to passengers affected by the strike, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said.
Heightened police visibility has also been implemented across major routes, identified convergence areas, transport terminals, and key establishments, the PRO-NIR said, adding that police personnel have been strategically deployed to ensure public safety, manage traffic flow, and maintain peace and order. | CGC
