EDITORIAL - Serving the riding public better

More than half of all public utility jeepneys in Central Visayas will be affected once the ban on transport vehicles that are 15 years old and above takes effect. In Cebu province alone, the land transportation regional office records showed 54 percent of passenger jeepneys will soon be out of the streets.              

It was also reported recently that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will no longer allow old passenger buses from plying their routes. Starting September, the LTFRB announced, there will be no renewal of registration for buses 15 years old and above.

Through thorough inspections by different government agencies, old buses and jeepneys will be classified as “colorums” and operators violating this policy will be fined P6,000 aside from confiscation of their units.              

This new policy will leave transport operators with no other options except to replace their old units. Of course shelling out additional millions for re-fleeting is a very risky move under such an uncertain climate. However, it is a gamble they had to take if want to stay in the business.              

While transport groups can always file a petition on the order, the LTFRB is firm in its stand that the ban is very important in the government's move to modernize public transport. So the ball is now in the hands of the operators whether to continue in the business or pack up and leave.             

Transport operators should not only look at the losses they are bound to incur once the new LTFRB policy is implemented. They should also consider its positive side.             

Because with the arrival of new buses replacing the old ones, they become more competitive. Having new units would only drive more riding public to patronize their business. Besides, with accidents in the past involving old and dilapidated public vehicles conking out along highways, commuters are now giving premium importance to safety and comfort.             

We see nothing wrong with the new policy. It is not driving many transport operators, especially the small ones, out of the road as some of them would think. In fact, it has noble intention of making the industry serve the riding public better.