LTFRB grants special permits

 CEBU, Philippines - To ensure there would be enough vehicles for all destinations in the province, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas has issued special permits allowing bus operators to ply outside their designated routes.

As of yesterday afternoon, LTFRB-7 director Ahmed Cuizon said they have already issued at least nine special permits while 10 more applications were being processed.

“By adding more trips for the expected rise of passengers, this is our way to address cases of overloading of vehicles,” Cuizon said.

Cuizon said this is to ensure that there would be enough transportation for the passengers. LTFRB-7 has installed help desks at the terminals where operators can process their application for special permits.

“We make it easier for our operators, instead of going to our regional office we are brining our service to them at our terminals,” Cuizon said.

LTFRB-7 personnel will continue issuing special permits at the terminals until Tuesday next week, Cuizon said. A special permit costs P130 per unit.

Operators who wish to apply for the special permit only need to bring their franchise and the insurance records of their vehicles as requirements. Cuizon, however, said that 20 percent of the total number of units of a particular operator can be issued special permits.

 “This is our way of controlling the number of permits issued per operator,” he said.

Cuizon yesterday conducted inspections at the terminals where he also took the opportunity to dialogue with the drivers and operators.

“We tried to talk with the drivers and passengers themselves regarding their concerns,” he said

Cuizon asked the public to help them enforce the traffic rules by being vigilant. (FREEMAN)