Expect shortage of buses

CEBU, Philippines - People coming home to spend the Holy Week with their families in the different towns of Cebu will have to contend with a shortage of buses to ferry them. 

This after the implementation of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Resolution 2013-01 or the non-renewal of the certificate of public convenience or franchise of buses that are 15 years old and above.

Yesterday, LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said that passengers may have to wait for a longer time for buses to take them home as they have declined requests for renewal of around 30 buses in Cebu that were over 15 year old.

“So naa gyud siguro ma-feel na shortage ato mga pasahero when it comes to the buses na mobyahe sa province,” he said, adding that the licenses of around 20 buses in Bohol were also not renewed.

But Cuizon said that they are taking band-aid measures to address the concern like providing special permits to buses to ply a route outside their franchise.

This is usually done during Christmas and Holy Week where a huge volume of passengers are expected to go home.

He asked for the understanding of the public for the possible shortage and longer waiting time due.

“Para raman sad ni sa kahapsay ug kaluwasan sa tanan,” he said.

So far, Cuizon said that they have released 46 special permits already for buses and expect to issue more in the coming days.  He said passengers are expected to increase starting Wednesday afternoon.

He also said they are doing their best to coordinate with other bigger bus companies who can possibly field more buses to compensate for the expected shortage.

He said so far two companies have agreed to check which areas need more buses.

The special permit from LTFRB costs P130 and is valid for three days.  Cuizon said they can also secure a permit good for six days.  He advised bus operators not to risk traveling out of their route without a special permit as they can be tagged as colorum buses.

He said that even if buses or public utility vehicles are duly registered with LTFRB, the moment they operate outside of their route they are considered colorum.  Those found traveling outside their line will be fined P6,000.

Cuizon also advised passengers to board buses only in terminals to prevent riding colorum buses which are more likely to not meet roadworthiness requirements.

“Ang kuyaw man gud if ari sila mosakay sa gawas, makasakay sila og colorum unya simbako maaksidente, dili sila ma-covered sa atong accident insurance,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs, Mactan Cebu International Airport will be on blue alert on March 28 and 29, Holy Thursday and Good Friday, respectively.  Carlito Jumao-as, chief of Aircraft/Port Operations Division and concurrent OIC deputy collector for operations said that this is done to protect the revenue of the government.

Jumao-as’ memorandum which was noted by BOC-subport of Mactan collector Paul Alcazaren stated that the blue alert status is also meant to prevent any form of smuggling in their area of responsibility during the Lenten season.  –with Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (FREEMAN)