AKLAN — The Land Transportation Office Region VI (LTO-6) has impounded two private vehicles allegedly operating without the required franchise during separate roadside inspections in Nabas, Aklan, as part of its continuing crackdown on illegal public transport services.
The apprehensions were conducted by the LTO-6 Regional Law Enforcement Section (RLES) team led by Chief Jetster T. Mandadero.
In the first operation, enforcers intercepted a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) transporting six passengers from Caticlan to Iloilo. The passengers reportedly paid approximately P6,000 for the trip.
In a separate operation, authorities apprehended a sedan that was allegedly rented out for P4,000 over two days without the required public transport authority.
Both vehicles were immediately impounded, the LTO-6 said.
Since January this year, the agency has intercepted 197 colorum vehicles across Western Visayas, including motorcycles, tricycles, taxis, sedans, vans and MPVs.
Penalties, impoundment and other legal sanctions for unauthorized public transport operations are covered by Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01.
LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II stressed that vehicle operators must secure the appropriate authority and franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) before transporting passengers for a fee.
Geduspan also urged commuters to patronize legitimate, LTFRB-authorized transport services to ensure road safety, valid insurance coverage and standardized fares.
The LTO-6 said its anti-colorum campaign aims to curb unauthorized transport operations and promote safer and more accountable public transportation services across the region./PN
