DOTC launches color scheme vs colorums

Operators of "colorum" vehicles or passenger buses and jeepneys without the necessary permits, will be forced to get their units off the streets of Metro Manila under a new color-coding system to be implemented next week by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

DOTC Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez said yesterday operators of public utility buses and jeepneys will be given their assigned colors after they re-register with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"Through this scheme, we will be able to identify the ‘colorum’ vehicles that continue to ply major streets in Metro Manila and contributing to the traffic congestion, especially during school days," he said.

Alvarez said that starting tomorrow, DOTC "flying squads" will stop passenger buses and jeepneys without colored stickers as they might be operating without any certificate of public conveyance.

"The early stages of the anti-colorum campaign had been successful but the new system is necessary because the number of vehicles, both public and private, during school season is expected to increase," he said.

Alvarez said the operation of colorum passenger buses and jeepneys must be criminalized to allow the LTO to impound the vehicles while the case is pending in court.

"All colorum buses, specially those operating out of line, will be slapped a P6,000 fine while those that are not registered at all as passenger vehicles will be facing heavy penalties," he said.

Alvarez said DOTC flying squads have stopped and apprehended the drivers of more than 1,500 passenger buses during the first six months of the year.

"However, after paying the P5,000 fine, many of the apprehended buses are back in the streets," he said.