LTFRB warns abusive PUV drivers

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 has warned abusive drivers of public utility vehicles to reform and apply what was taught in the driver’s academy.

LTFRB-7 director Ahmed Cuizon issued the warning after a newspaper reporter complained against a taxi driver for alleged overcharging.

"They will be killing themselves if they will not shape up or level up with their competition like the Transport Quality Public Transportation System," Cuizon said.

TQPTS is a new kind of transportation like the SM's My Bus, which now has 25 units operating in Metro Cebu. SM has applied a franchise for 77 units of My Bus.

Cuizon said that among the most common abuses committed by PUV drivers are refusal to convey passengers and overcharging.

Cuizon said that the taxi driver complained by the reporter was summoned yesterday and admitted his violation. The driver and the operator were fined P6,000.

"Ni text nako ang complainant nga nag overcharge ang driver. Mao to gipatawag namo ang driver ganiha ug niangkon man pud siya nga nag overcharging siya. Hence, no hearing was made after his admission," Cuizon said.

Cuizon was disappointed because the driver had just graduated from the two-day seminar conducted by the driver’s academy.

"Wa man gyud niya ge apply ang iyang nakat-onan sa Driver's Academy," Cuizon said.

According to Cuizon, there were already 2,400 PUV drivers who have undergone training at the academy. They were taught of their duties and responsibilities, traffic rules and regulations, values, good grooming, among others.

"Mao ni ang among programa to educate the drivers," said Cuizon. (FREEMAN)