LTFRB-7 issue 75 special permits for buses in time for Holy Week

More vehicles are made available for Holy Week commuters as LTFRB-7 issued 75 special permits for buses. |Photo courtesy of Jonathan Tumulak

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) issued a total of 75 special permits for buses plying different routes from the north and south bus terminals in Cebu.

This move is done to augment the need for more transportation options for commuters, who are going home to their respective hometowns in Cebu province, according to LTFRB-7 Regional Director Eduardo Montealto Jr.

Montealto said 40 permits were issued to buses from the Cebu South Bus Terminal while 35 permits were issued for buses from the Cebu North Bus Terminal.

Montealto said he is still expecting applications for special permit issuance to be submitted tomorrow, April 17, 2019.

“We are expecting more applications for special permits tomorrow but I think these 75 vehicles are enough because these are the bigger buses,” Montealto said.

Montealto said the office will remain open until Good Friday, April 19, 2019, as they are focused on ensuring the safety and security of the passengers.

Montealto  warned bus operators and drivers, who were issued special permits, to avoid traveling to routes that are not indicated in their permits.

“That is out of line (violation). Out of line is one of the categories of colorum,” he said.

Out-of-line violators are those bus operators, who are franchise holders but do not follow the authorized route stated in their special permits.

Colorum buses are fined with P1 million under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO). Colorum is the slang term for illegal public land transport in the Philippines. / celr