At least 50 old school buses owned by different school transport services in Central Visayas will be phased out this year.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB 7) said in a memorandum that these vehicles, which are at least 15 years old, won’t be allowed to ply the streets anymore as public utility vehicles.
LTFRB-7 memorandum circular 2015-007 orders the phase out of the old school buses to ensure the safety and welfare of students.
Despite the phaseout of the old school buses, LTFRB-7 Regional Director Reynaldo Elnar assured that there will be enough school transport within the region.
“Operators have immediately bought brand new units to replace the old vehicles. There are also new investors and operators who have this kind of business,” he told Cebu Daily News.
According to LTFRB records, there are 265 school transport service operators in Central Visayas.
Elnar said they will inspect from time to time vehicles of these operators to assure the phaseout order is implemented.
Violators can be fined P1 million for violating the order against colorum or out of line vehicles under the the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), said Elnar.
The LTFRB can also suspend the franchise of any transport operator once it is proven that they violated the order.
Elnar said the operators can still use those phased out vehicles for private use only.
Elnar also said that the LTFRB won’t also allow jeepney type and side-facing school transport vehicles because of seatbelt issues.
He said there are however exemptions like existing authorized school transport of side-facing passenger vehicles will be allowed until the years they will be phased out provided they install seatbelts for passengers before school year 2015-2016.