With continued commercialization and densification, General Santos City (GSC) must find ways to manage its traffic conditions. Primary data has revealed that high-capacity public transport (PT) modes such as jeepneys and multi-cabs play a weak role in easing congestion. Tricycles have dominated the PT service. Numerous issues have been reported on tricycles including violations of plying on national roads and beyond their service areas, unregistered or colorum operations, and overcharging of fares. Such issues cannot be resolved until an alternative and more efficient mode can fill in the demand-supply gap.
GSC, as a highly urbanized city, should lay down the foundation for a structured PT service to support and guide its planned urban growth as envisioned in its Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2019-2026. The Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) is one such initiative which brought about the revival of the jeepney services, albeit fledglings in their operations. Continuing efforts from the LGU to strengthen the implementation of the LPTRP are necessary.