15-year-old buses may operate until next year

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 is giving bus and mini bus operators until next year to replace their units that are already operating beyond 15 years.

This after the agency decided to defer the full implementation of the resolution that requires replacement of buses and mini-buses that are 15-years old and above.

LTFRB-7 director Ahmed Cuizon said that the resolution is supposed to take effect starting March 1 but his office has allowed advance confirmation of renewal of franchises.

A confirmation certificate from LTFRB would be needed by operators to renew the registration of their vehicle with the Land Transportation Office.

Cuizon said that as long as the operators have acquired a confirmation before the February 28 deadline, the LTO will honor it for their renewal in the next few months.

“So maka-register pa sila pero that means next year wala na, tagaan sila ug extension for a few months lang and within which they should buy new units na.”

Cuizon said that they understand the plight of bus operators who are opposing LTFRB Resolution 2013-01, which orders to implement DOTC Department Order (DO) 2002-030 or the non-renewal of the certificate of public convenience or franchise of buses that are 15 years old and above.

Cuizon said they know the purchase of a single bus can be costly, as expressed by bus operators in a meeting with LTFRB last February 5 which was followed by the momentary lifting of the implementation of the resolution.

But with the mandate aimed to prevent more road accidents caused by rundown vehicles to happen, Cuizon said that this would be strictly implemented.

Cuizon explained that unlike private vehicles that can go directly to LTO for renewal of registration, for-hire vehicles would need confirmation from LTFRB first before they can acquire registration from LTO.

“Interconnectivity naman karon,” said Cuizon, adding that they are now closely working with LTO to prevent the manually-issued registrations to lessen ‘colorum’ vehicles.

In 2002, DOTC issued DO 2002-030 but in 2006, the office released another order permitting the renewal of franchise of buses and mini buses more than 15 years old and above as long as the operators provide a certificate of road worthiness from LTO subject to the Motor Vehicle Inspection System.

With Resolution 2013-01 issued last January, the 15-year age limit of buses prevails even with road worthiness and MVIS certificates. (FREEMAN)