A new, better sea route connecting mainland Cebu to Camotes Islands is eyed to start – FINALLY – on April 20, 2023.
The landmark new route, to be serviced by Super Shuttle, will depart from Liloan Port to Poro town, touted as a better alternative for locals and visitors of Camotes.
During a meeting with Gov. Gwen Garcia on Tuesday, Paul Rodriguez, CEO of Super Shuttle operator Asian Marine Transport Corp. and Erik Lim, CEO of Topline Group, which operates a port in Liloan, have agreed to launch the new landmark service between mainland Cebu and Camotes.
The governor is optimistic that this new service will further boost tourist arrivals in Camotes in time for the summer months.
Vallacar Transit, operator of Ceres Liner, also committed to provide bus routes from mainland Cebu to Camotes Islands aboard the new service of Super Shuttle, said Atty. Moises Flores, administrative manager of Villacar Transit.
Rodriguez expressed his optimism on the plan, saying it’s a “win-win for everyone” and will bring more progress to Camotes once this new connectivity starts.
Camotes is seen to be “the next Bantayan” as it’s now home to a number of resorts while its new airport is now being developed.
Both Gov. Gwen and Rodriguez agreed that there is already established passenger traffic between mainland Cebu and Camotes. It is just a matter of providing new and better transport option for the public on what they call the “untapped” market for this route.
Currently, there’s only one firm, Jomalia Shipping Corp., that serves the Cebu-Camotes route through the Danao Port to Consuelo Port in Camotes. They have long been operating that route without competitors.
Gov. Gwen has long been seeking to finally disrupt this monopoly as she wants Cebuanos to enjoy more and better alternative in traveling to and from Camotes. | CL