QC to LTFRB: Time to lift franchise moratorium

The Quezon City government is calling on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to lift the moratorium on public transportation franchises, citing the proliferation of unregistered or “colorum” vehicles.

A resolution authored by Councilor Ramon Medalla said the transport sector had been waiting for over a decade for the result of the board’s route rationalization program, which would supposedly serve as basis for lifting the moratorium.

In November 2003, the LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular No. 2003-028, ordering a nationwide ban on the acceptance of new applications and petitions for the certificate of public convenience. Only trucks for hire were exempted from the ban.

The city council called for the LTFRB to consider lifting the 13-year-old order to “address the alarming proliferation of colorum vehicles, reported violations of overloading and the scarcity of public transport in some areas in the country.”

Late last year, LTFRB chair Martin Delgra said it may be time to lift the moratorium as he cited the country’s swelling population and economic growth.

In a text message to the Inquirer, LTFRB board member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada said the moratorium would be lifted soon.

“Definitely soon,” Lizada said, “when the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines will be launched, hopefully in May.”

The guidelines, which are being crafted by the national government, would be based on the public transport plans submitted by local government units.

Lizada reported that nationwide consultations on the matter had already been completed.