Bus owners: Unfair to cancel franchise for driver’s fault

CEBU, Philippines - A top official of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association  find it “unfair” if a franchise of a bus operator is cancelled every time their buses meet an accident due to driver’s negligence.

CPBOA president Richard Corominas aired this view during the recent Transport Summit in Cebu. Several operators of public utility vehicles, LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez and LTFRB board member Roberto Cabrera III attended the summit.

“We find it very harsh. Our franchises are revoked because of the negligence of the drivers. Considering that most of the road accidents were due to human errors, this is unfair. Operators are being punished because of the driver’s fault,” said Corominas.

Corominas said that bus operators heavily invested on the purchase of bus units.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez for his part assured bus operators that suspending or cancelling their franchise will not be done hastily.

Ginez said careful deliberation and thorough inspections will be done before coming up with a decision.

“In suspending or cancelling a franchise, the board is very careful before we issue such order, which should be for substantive reason and (not for) a flimsy one,” said Cabrera.

Ginez cited the importance of bus transportation in a locality.

He however said if they see a pattern of negligence on the part of the bus operators, they should always go back to the principle that “franchise is a privilege granted by the government, not a right.”

Meanwhile, Cebu Truckers Association Incorporated requested LTFRB to decentralize franchise application for Region VI, Region VII and Region VIII.

Kits Beltran, CTAI board member, said it is quite difficult to secure a national franchise.

“Significantly, it took a long time to get a franchise,” Beltran said during summit’s open forum.

 Cabrera said that with the Citizen’s Charter in place, the processing of franchise for trucks will be shortened.

“Mga three to six months, we will release the franchise,” Cabrera said.

Ginez said that their regional offices can issue a provisional franchise which is good for three months, while the franchise application is pending with the central office.

Ginez also assured trucks operators that in case there are some documents lacking in their franchise application, they will immediately relay this information to their regional office to expedite processing.

“Para hindi na pabalik-balik yung application. Rest assured, we will coordinate or you follow it up with our regional office for the speedy disposition of your franchise,” Ginez added.   (FREEMAN)