More hefty fines set vs illegal buses

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications is set to impose P1 million penalty per offense on the so-called "colorum" buses from the present P6,000 only.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 regional director Ahmed Cuizon yesterday said that DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya is set to sign the administrative order.

Cuizon said that it is going to be a joint administrative order for both Land Transportation Office and the LTFRB, agencies all under the DOTC.

"Di man ta angay mahadlok kung dili ta colorum operator apan alang atong mga colorum operators, this will be the end of their glory days (Those who are operating legit buses have nothing to worry about, but for those who are, this will be the end of their glory days)," Cuizon told The FREEMAN.

Even if the bus is equipped with a franchise, it will be considered colorum if it is apprehended out of line and more so if it is operating under an expired franchise.

"Hinaut unta nga magbinut-an na ning atong mga operators nga dunay laraw di ba hinuon kanang actual nga nag-operate karon og mga colorum nga mga buses (We're hoping that those operating colo-rum buses will man up and those who intend to operate the same will hesitate)," said Cuizon.

Since last year, the LTFRB no longer renew the registration of  buses that are more than 15 years.

This is part of the implementation of the modernization of all public transportation by banning buses which are more than 15 years old.

Cuizon said there are around 1,500 buses in Central Visayas and 70 percent or more than 1,000 of these are in Cebu.

Out of the total buses in the region, around 40 percent are already 15 years old or older.

The number of years is based on the date of manufacture of the vehicle and not the registration.

For those imported buses, it will not be the date of importation but also the date of manufacture.

Cuizon earlier suggested two options for the operators. First was to replace the old buses with new ones or those less than 15 years old, if ever their franchises are still valid.

In the event that operators cannot afford for replacement, then they may sell their franchise or operators may also convert their franchise, if they want it to be privately used.

In the event that operators will not follow the implemented resolution, Cuizon said that their units will be classified as colorum vehicles and there will be corresponding penalties to the violation.

Aside from the present fine of P6,000, the vehicles will be impounded and a case will be filed against the operators for violating the implemented law.

The increase of the fine to P1 million per offense was earlier planned to encourage operators to follow the law.  (FREEMAN)