Transport Group Seeks 5-year Moratorium on Phase Out of 15-year-old Buses

(PNA) — A transport group is pushing for a five-year moratorium in the implementation of the policy that disallows registration of 15-year-old bus, minibus, and school transport service.

Romeo Armamento, vice president of the National Confederation of Transportworkers’ Union, said a petition has been filed seeking for a court intervention on the matter.

“We were asking the court to grant our petition for a moratorium and just early this week, the Supreme Court has ordered the Department of Transportation and Communication to submit their formal reply on our petition,” Armamento said.

Armamento said his group is seeking for a moratorium in the implementation of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) resolution pending the formulation of the National Transport Policy Framework.

He said they want to know what alternatives the government will give if the 15-year-old buses, minibuses and school transport service are phased out.

At least three transport groups in Cebu had earlier requested for more time to buy brand new units because it is very expensive to acquire a brand new unit.

Despite the request for a moratorium, the LTFRB has started implementing the resolution last year.

The resolution mandated the strict observance nationwide of the 15-year age limit of buses and minibuses even if these units were issued a certificate of road-worthiness by the Motor Vehicle Inspection Section. (PNA)CMR/EB