MMDA identifies ‘naughty’ bus firms

Presenting the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) naughty list—this year’s top “colorum” violators among public utility bus companies operating in the metropolis.

According to the agency, from January to November, 100 violations were committed by 32 provincial bus operators. Topping the list was Genesis with 15 cases followed by Five Star Lines with 11 and Jac Liner and Lucena Lines with nine each.

On the other hand, a total of 87 violations were recorded among 31 city bus operators during the same period. Admiral Transport Inc. led the list with 11 cases while Vil 5000 Inc. and Don Mariano Transit Corp. brought up the rear with 10 and nine cases, respectively.

Colorum violations include using license plates or documents issued to other vehicles, operating without a valid franchise or deploying “excess buses” without a permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said in a phone interview Tuesday.

The MMDA also named the public utility bus firms that were frequently caught operating outside of their registered routes.

From January to November this year, the agency recorded 223 violations committed by 49 provincial bus operators, topped once again by Genesis with 15 cases, Lucena with 14, and Eagle Star and Jac Liner with 13 apiece.

Among city bus operators, there were 129 violations committed by 50 operators. First on the list was Lucky Seven Tours with 22 cases. Next were Santrans Corp. Inc. with 16 and Fermina Express Corp. with six.

Meanwhile, the MMDA also warned commuters against buses that use unregistered engines. According to Tolentino, bus engines should be registered with the LTFRB.

In the past 11 months, the MMDA recorded 155 cases of provincial buses caught using unregistered and unauthorized replacement engines.

Of the 34 companies that were apprehended for the violation, Baliwag topped the list with 47 cases, followed by North Star Trans and RJ Express Inc. with 12 each, and Cely Rosa and Jam Liner Express with eight cases apiece.

Among city buses, 18 companies were cited for 39 violations. Santrans Inc. recorded nine cases while Fermina Express, Kingsam Express, Mega Bus Lines Corp., Pascual Liner and Ultra Bus posted three cases each. On the other hand, RRCG Transport System Co Inc., Saint Rose and Valisno Express followed with two cases each.