Bus liner may be first to face P1-M fine

This Sunrays bus is considered colorum by the Land Transportation Office for having two chassis numbers which did not match with any documents presented by the driver. The apprehended vehicle is now at the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) impounding area in Mandaue City. (CDN Photo/Michelle Joy L. Padayhag)

A bus plying the southern towns of Cebu was the first colorum bus that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) apprehended during the first day of the implementation Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01 of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), LTO and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The Sunrays bus with plate number GWE 633 was flagged down at 9:30 p.m. Thursday in barangay Lawaan, Talisay City.

The bus, owned by the Jerel Transport Inc. was found to have two chassis numbers which did not match with any of the documents presented.

LTO-7 Regional Director Arnel Tancinco said that the bus was on its way to Oslob from Cebu City . Other violations found after the inspection were overlap of engine number, lack of wiper on the right side, all tires were recapped, no clearance light and incomplete seatbelt.

Under JAO 2014-01 or the Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violations of Laws, Regulations Governing Land Transportation, colorum bus operators will be fined P1 million; truck and van operators, P200,000; sedan operators, P120,000; jeepney owners, P50,000; and motorcycle operators, P6,000.

The JAO also covers other PUV-related violations such as refusal to convey passengers to their destination; overcharging; employing reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers; operating PUVs with defective parts; using tampered taximeters; and trip cutting. Each violation has corresponding fines and penalties as specified in the order.

The penalty for the apprehended bus is pegged at P1 million while the license of the driver is suspended for three months.

The bus is now at the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) impounding area in Mandaue City.
Tancinco said that even if the owner will settle the P1 million fine, the suspension of the driver’s license will still be in effect.

Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega is the company lawyer of Sunrays Bus Liner.

But he said he will not represent the company should it choose to seek legal redress before the court following the apprehension one of its “colorum” unit to avoid conflict of interest.

Meanwhile, LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon told Cebu Daily News that other Sunrays buses can continue to ply their routes.

The apprehension of one colorum unit does not invalidate the other legitimately franchised units and they are not prevented from plying their routes.

Yesterday, LTO agents attended a seminar on the new order at the Sacred Heart Center on D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City.

“This law is geared toward professionalism. It is not intended for revenue collection for this is to prevent vehicle operators to commit violations” said Tancinco. / WITH MAYFAIR D. DELA CERNA, USJ-R INTERN