DOTr SAICT stops Leyte-bound ‘colorum’ van in QC for overloading
Transport authorities stop an unregistered or “colorum” van along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City for overloading passengers on Thursday late evening, April 17, 2025 — Screengrab from video courtesy of Department of Transportation Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities stopped an unregistered or “colorum” van in Quezon City for overloading passengers, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
The van bound for Leyte was spotted with 25 passengers despite its capacity being only for 16 passengers, the DOTr Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) detailed in a statement on Good Friday.
Officers from the SAICT, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted the vehicle along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao on April 17 late evening.
The van came from a “secret” terminal along Yale Street in Barangay E. Rodriguez, SAICT said.
“Ang mga pasaherong ito, kabilang pa ang ilang batang paslit, ay nagbayad ng P2,500-P2,700 bawat isa para sa isang masikip, hindi ligtas, at illegal na biyahe,” SAICT explained.
(These passengers, including some toddlers, paid P2,500 to P2,700 per person just for a crowded, unsafe and illegal trip.)
“Sa kasamaang-palad, hindi agad naibalik sa mga pasahero ang kanilang binayad na pamasahe dahil umalis na ang ‘barker’ na tumanggap nito,” it added.
(Unfortunately, the fares were not immediately returned to the passengers because the ‘barker’ who took them had already left.)
READ: DOTr cracks down on ‘colorum’ vehicles this Holy Week
SAICT said the van’s driver was charged with driving with an expired license, reckless driving and unsafe load.
The van was brought to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Quezon City for impounding, the committee further detailed.
READ: LTO steps up filing of cases vs ‘colorum’ PUV operators
“Sa halip na magtiis sa masikip at delikadong biyahe, maaaring pumili ang mga komyuter ng lehitimong bus… na nag-aalok ng mas murang pamasahe, passenger insurance, komportableng upuan, malinis na kapaligiran, at access sa comfort room,” SAICT said.
(Instead of enduring crowded and dangerous trips, commuters can choose legitimate buses… that offer cheaper fares, passenger insurance, comfortable seats, clean environments and access to comfort rooms.)
