Numbering system to curb illegal taxi operations in Cebu

CEBU - The Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association is optimistic that with the implementation of the Taxi Sequence Numbering System, “colorum” taxicabs or those operating illegally will finally be off the streets.

MCTOA president Richard Cabucos said that since over 400 taxi units were found to have not been registered yet, it is presumed that these are colorums.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board regional director Romulo Bernardes said that only 457 of the 6,137 taxi units in the region remained unregistered.

Upon registration of the taxi unit with the TSNS, the taxi’s plate number and franchise number are linked to a four-digit sequence stored in the LTFRB-7 database.

The sequence starts from 0001 and ends in 6137, which is the total number of registered taxi units in Central Visayas.

Taxi operators are required to paint the four-digit sequence on both sides of the taxi unit.

Under this system, all taxi units operating in Central Visayas shall have a permanent number to be marked on taxi units in bright red color.

The number by paint or by sticker shall be placed in the middle portion of the left and right doors and top center portion of the rear and back windshields.

Cabucos said that with this, it is easier to identify colorum taxi units.

However he cautioned their members as those who have not registered may just copy the numbers of those who have actually registered with the LTFRB.

According to Bernardes, that as of yesterday, there was no reported apprehension of colorum taxi units.

LTFRB has set January 30 of this year as the deadline for taxi operators in the region to register their units.

LTFRB’s memorandum circular 2008-019 issued last October 6, 2008 stipulated that the LTFRB en banc noted that there is a clamor among stakeholders in the taxi transportation service for the adoption of a numbering system to ensure easy identification and monitoring of authorized taxi units.

The memorandum also requires all taxi operators or franchise grantees to secure from LTFRB-7 the permanent numbers to be assigned to individual authorized units which shall be issued confirmation verification certificate of the number upon payment. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)