LTO sets sights on taxis with same license plates

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office said yesterday it will go after public transport operators, particularly taxicab firms, that use copies of the same license plate for several units to avoid paying franchise fees charged by the LTO and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

LTO chief Arturo Lomibao said taxi operators found engaging in the multiple use of “yellow plates” will have their franchises cancelled and will also be subjected to fines and penalties by the LTO.

Lomibao said the government loses millions of pesos in revenue due to this practice.

He issued the warning after the LTO’s Special Operations Center (SOC) discovered a taxicab firm using one yellow plate for several taxis.

LTO-SOC head Paterno Hernandez said in a report that the Kansai taxi firm, based in Valenzuela City, had taxis that share license plates TXP-418 and TXP-637.

Lomibao also warned LTO employees against conniving with taxi firms to allow the multiple use of the license plates.