Higher fines for out-of-line public vehicles suspended 120 days

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said on Tuesday that it would be suspending the implementation of higher fines and penalties for out-of-line public utility vehicles for 120 days.

Under the memorandum circular, the Board said suspension would give its officials ample time to conduct a study on the rationalization of authorized routes both regarding the authorized route description and number of authorized units in a particular route.

"Sa pakikipag-ugnayan namin sa mga affected na bus operators, magkakaroon ng pag-aaral upang i-modify or i-rationalize ang mga existing na ruta para malaman natin ang sapat na mga bilang ng units para sa ruta. Dahil sa matagal ng naibigay sa kanila ang mga prangkisa nila, di na sila nakasabay sa pagbabago ng ating mga lansangan as part of the government's land transportation modernization program," LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said.

He added that Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya's directive to re-evaluate the current bus routes in order to help bus operators make best business decision.

"Pag-aaralan natin kung kailangan ipatupad ang from origin to destination or point-to-point routes dumaan ang mga bus kung saan maraming tao para naman mabigyan ng magandang return of investments ang ating mga bus operators," Ginez said.  

The circular also states that colorum trucks-for-hire, particularly those with white plates, upon submission of franchise application will be automatically afforded Provisional Authority valid for 120 days.

Ginez also assured bus operators with pending application with the Board that they will not be apprehended and penalized if they can show proof of inspection validity.

The Board is also creating a nationwide task force composed of LTFRB and Land Transportation Office enforcers who can only apprehend violators. It has not deputized any local government unit traffic personnel or Metro Manila Development Authority enforcer to apprehend violators.

The Joint Administrative Order, which raises the fines of land transportation infractions, also covers other PUV-related violations such as refusal to convey passengers to their destination; overcharging; employing reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers; operating PUVs with defective parts; using tampered taximeters; and trip cutting. 

Each violation has corresponding fines and penalties as specified in the order.

Under the JAO, which will take effect on June 19, colorum bus operators will be fined P1 million; truck and van operators, P200,000; sedan operators, P120,000; jeepney owners, P50,000; and motorcycle operators, P6,000.