Hotels in Bacolod City are setting up a common airport shuttle system for their guests, while public transport systems from some malls are also being discussed in preparation for the opening of the New Bacolod-Silay Airport on Jan. 18.

Passengers will be advised to leave Bacolod two hours before their flights as the about 20 kilometer drive to the new P5.6 billion airport at Barangay Bagtic, Silay, could be delayed by traffic and take longer than expected.

John Lizares, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental, said a common shuttle system for about 18 hotels and resorts in Bacolod City has been discussed where guests will be charged P150 going to the airport and vise versa.

The shuttle system where pre-booking by guests for pick ups can be made will be provided by Nyala Rent-a-Car, he said.

Discussions are also underway for shuttle systems from some Bacolod malls to the airport and back.

Meanwhile, a survey of Bacolod hotel rates for the use of their vehicles for trips to the airport show prices ranging from P400 to P500 per trip, while taxi firms are mulling rates starting at P350.

Some rental firms have set rent for van use to the airport at P1,500 and vehicles that seat four persons at P1,000.

The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board has provided Silay Mayor Jose Montelibano with a Regional Memorandum Circular announcing routes to airport open for application for Certificate of Public Convenience.

The type of service open are GT express service with the following routes – Lopue's East, SM Bacolod, Robinsons Bacolod and Gaisano Mall to the Silay airport and vise versa; shuttle service – Silay proper, reclamation area port and Bacolod plaza to the new airport and back; and coupon transport service based at the Silay airport to any point in Negros Occidental, the memorandum signed by LTFRB regional director Porfirio Clavel said.

However, Clavel did not say if any applicants have been approved so far and how much the rates for such services will be for the commuting public.

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella said he was informed by the Department of Transportation and Communication officials that by Monday temporary permits will be given for transport operators by the LTFRB regional office.*CPG

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