Leyte-Sorsogon ferry service temporarily suspended, mayor says

CARIGARA, Leyte, Sept. 9 (PNA) – Ferry services plying the Carigara, Leyte to Bulan, Sorsogon route was interrupted temporarily, according to the local government here.

Carigara Mayor Eduardo Ong said the two ferries, which operated the new route last June, are undergoing repair after their propellers snagged a fishing net, compelling them to be restored in dry dock.

Ong revealed that repair is taking longer than expected as ships for repair are put on respective schedules.

However, the mayor assures trips from Carigara to Bulan will resume once the ships are fit to travel again.

Meanwhile, it was learned that there is a pending application for the vessel to increase its vehicle and passenger capacity so it can accommodate more passengers when trips resume.

The Leyte-Sorsogon Transport service started operation shortly after the May 9 elections.

Local economy to be stimulated by the transport link, which is also expected to decongest the port of Matnog, Sorsogon, the main jump-off point for vehicles heading to the Visayas from Luzon.

Travel time from Leyte to Sorsogon takes 12 hours. Ferry service was opened here to provide an alternative route to Bicol and to Luzon in the north, from the long and winding travel traversing through Samar Island.

The route also offers vehicle operators potential time and fuel savings as the service bypasses the busy terminals in Matnog and Allen, Northern Samar. (PNA)
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