MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) warned public utility vehicle (PUVs) operators against overloading and overcharging passengers, as well as those operating as “colorum” vehicles, as they may face heavy fines and penalties.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III issued the warning in a statement on Wednesday as travelers across the country rush to their respective destinations for the long Holy Week weekend.
Guadiz said passengers should be careful of transport companies or private vehicles operating as “for hire” vehicles that might take advantage of the busy season.
Some drivers may also take in more passengers, overloading their vehicles and endangering the lives of those inside the vehicle. There were also some transport companies, according to Guadiz, that overcharged fares.
He said that this is prohibited and that the fare matrix provided by the LTFRB must be strictly followed to avoid facing heavy fines and penalties.
Meanwhile, the agency also warned private vehicles that operate as for hire or colorum without proper authority from the LTFRB, which is prohibited by law.
Aside from private vehicles, PUVs that operate outside of their approved route, those that operate differently from its authorized denomination, like a tourist bus operating as a PUB, or a PUV with a suspended, canceled, or expired Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), are defined by the law as colorum.
According to the LTFRB, the penalties for the said violations are as follows:
- For those found overloading, a fine of P5,000 will be charged on the PUV operator for the first offense, P10,000 plus impoundment of the unit for 30 days for the second offense, and P15,000 fine plus cancellation of the CPC for the third offense.
- For PUVs found to be overcharging or even undercharging fares, a fine of P5,000 for the first offense is imposed, a P10,000 fine and impounding of the unit for 30 days for the second offense, and a fine of P15,000 and cancellation of CPC for the third offense.
- “Colorum” vehicles, on the other hand, whether bus, truck, jeepney, van, sedan, or motorcycle, a fine of P1 million, P200,000, P50,000, P200,000, P120,000, and P6,000, respectively, will be imposed, plus impounding of the vehicle for three months, for the first offense. This includes the revocation of the CPC and blacklisting of the apprehended vehicle and revocation of the registration of the apprehended vehicle.
- For the second offense of colorum vehicles, revocation of all CPCs or the entire fleet of the operator, disqualification of the operator and stockholders and directors if the operator is a corporation, from operating any public land transportation, plus blacklisting and revocation of registration of all authorized units of the operator, await those who will violate.
Chairman Guadiz also reminded travelers to keep an eye out to see if passengers like the elderly, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women are given priority seating, if health protocols are followed, if pets are correctly carried, or if medical and police assistance is available at the terminal.
“We also encourage our dear passengers to remain vigilant and observant of certain situations that they think may violate their rights as passengers. This is to ensure that they will travel safe and right and arrive at their destinations safe and sound,” Chairman Guadiz said.
– Denver Godezano, INQUIRER.net trainee
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