LTFRB Suspends Higher Fines for Out-of-Line PUVs for 120 Days

Manila — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday announced the suspension of the implementation of higher fines for out-of-line public utility vehicles (PUVs) on June 19.

Higher fines for out-of-line PUVs were set to be implemented on June 19 (Thursday) until Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) deferred it to prevent a possible shortage of public utility buses.

Suspension of higher fine implementation will last for 120 days, the DOTC noted in a memorandum circular posted on its Twitter account.

However, the DOTC clarified that the memorandum does not include “colorum” PUVs which will still be subject to the new penalty scheme.

Under the DOTC-LTFRB joint administrative order no. 2014-01, public utility jeeps without franchise will pay a fine of P50,000 while colorum buses will pay up to P1 million.

“Apprehension of out-of-line violations is the only one suspended,” the LTFRB posted on its Twitter account. “Colorum and other violations will be implemented.”

The memorandum circular noted a PUV operating outside of its approved route or area without a prior permit from the board is classified as out-of-line operations.

Meanwhile, the board will make use of the suspension time to conduct a study on the authorized route descriptions and number of authorized units on a particular route. (PNA) LGI/ANP