LTO probes PUVs being used as school buses

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is investigating operators and drivers of public utility vehicles believed to be using their PUVs as school service vehicles.

“This runs counter to their mandate. Either you are a public utility vehicle plying a definite route or you are a school bus. You cannot be both,” said LTO National Capital Region director Teofilo Guadiz III.

Guadiz told The STAR that first-time offenders would be fined P6,000 and suspended for three months. By the third offense, the vehicle’s registration and the driver’s license would be revoked.

The LTO also wants schools to submit a list of buses and service vehicles transporting their students.

Guadiz said they are constantly communicating with principals of primary and secondary schools, asking them to submit a list of school buses and to see to it that only legitimate transport owners are utilized to ferry students.

He said private vehicles do not carry safety features required under the law and do not have the prescribed passenger insurance to cover its passengers in the event of an accident.

Starting on June 4, LTO enforcers will be posted at the University Belt area and near schools to assist in traffic management, inspect school buses and ensure that PUV drivers do not take advantage of the student commuters.

He said the enforcers will inspect documents of school buses to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The drivers and owners of private vehicles used to ferry students for a fee will be apprehended while their vehicles will be impounded, Guadiz said.