Unfazed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s criticism of its waiting shed along the Virac boulevard, the management of Cat Island Express said recently that it is willing to donate similar waiting sheds to local government units along its routes.
The prefabricated steel-frame waiting shed with reinforced concrete floor that can be erected in just four hours was installed by the bus company along the boulevard walkway across the RSL bus terminal after it learned that passengers were using the boulevard to wait for their rides, exposed to the elements.
During the hearing of the SP Committee on Transportation hearing last April 12, 2024, the bus company came under fire for installing the shed, which it said set a precedent that could embolden other businesses to occupy parts of the boulevard even without authority from the local government.
Cat Island Express officials present apologized for not applying for a permit with the Virac LGU and promised to remove the same but were prevailed upon not to do so as long as the permit is secured.
A ranking company official told the Tribune the other week that the company is willing to donate similar waiting sheds to municipal LGUs.
The sheds can be installed along its three main routes where the buses as well as UV Express vans can pick up waiting passengers.
Shortly after the adjournment of the SP hearing, Cat Island Express owner Brian Cu told local media that its sister companies, Bicol Isarog Transport System, Inc. and Penafrancia Tours & Travel Transport, Inc. have been serving Catanduanes since 2011 and the launching of the local bus service is a way of giving back to the island and its people for patronizing the Manila-bound buses.
“Pabalik-balik ako dito, so yun ang nakita ko na parang kulang,” he disclosed, adding that the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was glad that someone wanted to provide the service to Catanduanes, then the only Bicol province without a regular bus line.
“We are purely public service, secondary na yung kita,” Cu stated. “Wala kaming gustong patayin na negosyo.”
If their operation is stopped now, the riding public, especially students, would suffer as Cat Island now gets as much as 1,200 passengers daily.
In the end, he stressed, it will be the people who will make the choice as to which public utility vehicle to ride.
“Naogma kami na may natatabangan kami sa Catanduanes sa paagi ning maray na malulunadan,” the Cat Island official stated. “Any time ne kaipuhan magpunta sa ibang lugar, nakakaabot ang riding public lalo na ang mga turista.”
The bus company’s schedule came from the people, whom Cu said they asked as to the times they travel out of town and come back.
“For sure, nalulugi kami for several months now, but we are getting there,” he declared. “Makikita naman na napupuno na kaysa dati na tinitira kami sa Facebook kasi walang laman ang mga bus, biyahe nang biyahe.”
“We are developing the riding public to pick from among the options,” he emphasized. “Talagang part ng negosyo ang malugi ka, hindi naman tayo dito puro kita, tulong din yan sa tao sa Catanduanes.”