Buses asked to prioritize PWDs, elderly and pregnant women

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu Provincial Board has urged the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to enforce seat preference to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women during Lenten trips.

Contained in an approved resolution sponsored by PB Member Miguel Antonio Magpale, the request came out in anticipation of the influx of passengers going to provinces starting today.

Magpale’s resolution also reminded bus public utility drivers to put the safety of the passengers as their main priority.

The PB also urged LTO and LTFRB to strictly enforce regulations in relation to the over speeding and overloading as some drivers would take the chance to have a bigger income and have more trips.

The LTFRB-7 and LTO-7 have jointly conducted yesterday a joint inspection of buses at the Cebu south and north bus terminals.

LTFRB-7 regional director Ahmed Cuizon said that during their inspection, one bus was found to be dilapidated and no longer allowed to travel.

Cuizon said other minor violations were noted such as non-posting of signages.

“Kay minor violations ra man, they are still allowed to travel. But the operators were given summons to appear at our office after the Holy Week, to see if these minor violations were already corrected,” Cuizon said.

During the inspection, neither colorum bus nor mini-bus was found, said Cuizon.

Cuizon reported 100 special permits for bus and mini-bus so far were issued by his office while 60 were issued to public utility jeepneys.

The special permits are issued to public utility vehicles who wish to travel outside their regular route during the Holy Week.

To get a special permit, one has to pay P130 per unit which is good for three days while a payment of P260 per unit for six days.

Cuizon said the LTFRB-7 is also putting up help desk at these terminals to issue special permits on-site. (FREEMAN)