PUJ Drivers Agree Law vs Colorum Jeepneys

●LTFRB has already imposed fine of P1 million each to at least two passenger bus operators for operating buses without proper documents, Chief says.

Majority of the drivers of legally operated passenger jeepneys agree with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 for implementing a law against colorum jeepneys, LTFRB 7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said during the Tapok-Tapok Media Forum last Friday.

During the forum, which was initiated by the officers of the Publishers Association of the Phils. Inc. (PAPI) Cebu Chapter at Cebu Business Hotel, Cuizon cited that LTFRB’s joint administrative order (JAO)2014-01 has forced the operators of public utility jeep (PUJ),which are no longer covered with franchise or non renewal of registration, to stop their operations.

“Maoy hinungdan nga dyutay nalay nagdagan nga PUJ busa misaka usab ang income sa mga drayber nga namasahero uban sa jeep nga di colorum. Ang comment sa mga drayber nga samok tinuod kaayo sa karsada ang mga colorum jeep busa nagpasalamat sila nga gipadak-an ang multa niini,” Cuizon said.

The LTFRB are strictly enforcing the law in order to allow only the legally-operated buses and jeepneys to run the streets and pick up passengers, Cuizon said.

As of Thursday last week, LTFRB have already fined P1 million each to at least two passenger bus operators for operating their buses without proper documents, Cuizon said.

LTFRB said some of the operators’ violations include the tampering of engine or chases numbers, non renewal of registration and revoked franchise.

Without divulging the identity of these operators, Cuizon said their actions are enough to let other operators who illegally operated their undocumented vehicles know that the law is there to ferret them out.

He reiterated the recent strike launched by some drivers and operators as a blatant wrong because before the LTFRB Manila approved the drafted JAO, nobody from the group of Cebu operators aired their opposition on it.

According to Cuizon the LTFRB office in Cebu was the first one to conduct consultation at the Sacred Heart Center along D. Jakosalem street last April 17, 2014 which was attended by almost all passenger bus and jeepney operators in compliance with LTFRB Manila’s order.

“Pero wa gyud mi kadungog nga may bisan usa nga misupak sa mga kantidad sa multa nga ipatuman sa gigamang balaod atol sa maong konsultasyon”, he said.

However, Cuizon said that he was almost shocked upon learning that some drivers and operators in Cebu have joined the strike during the first day of the implementation of the said law last week.

Cuizon was in Manila during the strike as he attended the 37th LTFRB anniversary celebration on that day.

Moreover, Cuizon extended his thanks to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and other Metro Cebu leaders for exerting efforts in in transporting the stranded passengers during the transport strike.