The group of JAM Liner and Philtranco, one of the oldest bus companies in the country, is planning to launch bus routes within Bohol and to other provinces in partnership with FastCat.

According to Provincial Board (PB) Member Romulo Cepedoza, the buses will pass through Carmen, Tubigon, Tagbilaran City, Panglao, Ubay and Buenavista.

These will then be ferried by a FastCat vessel to Cebu City and San Carlos in Negros Oriental, based on initial plans.

Board Member Ricky Masamayor, chair of the PB’s committee on peace and order and public safety, said that they passed a resolution on Friday endorsing Philtranco’s franchise application to the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The plan was also cited by Cepedoza in his PB committee report following his meeting with officials from Philtranco on February 23.

During the meeting, plans were laid out by Rico Villaluna, head of the Philtranco Group General Affairs Division, before Cepedoza.

Villaluna who represented Philtranco’s president and chief executive officer Engr. Dennis Trajano said that the company intends to expand and cater to the rest of the region.

In December last year, FastCat, a roll-on, roll-off fastcraft, started operations in Bohol.

The vessel can reportedly carry 275 passengers and 45 sports utility vehicles or seven large vehicles such as buses and 10-wheeler trucks. (Rey Tutas)