DRIVERS of five traditional public utility jeepneys in Cebu were apprehended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for not following the prescribed seating capacity.
The five were apprehended just a week after the national government ordered the removal of plastic barriers in public utility vehicles (PUVs).
LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said the five were arrested in separate operations from Monday, November 8, 2021, to Wednesday, Nov. 10.
Both driver and operator of the apprehended TPUJ were fined P5,000 as penalty based on the condition stated in their certificate of public convenience (CPC).
On November 2, the LTFRB issued Memorandum Circular 2021-064 allowing all public transport to remove installed plastic barriers that were set up before as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
But even with the order, PUJ drivers may accommodate only 70 percent of the vehicle’s maximum capacity.
Montealto added that aside from TPUJs, all other types of PUVs are not spared from their operations.
On Friday, November 12, LTFRB personnel apprehended a van for being colorum or accepting passengers without securing authority from the government. (HBL / JKV)