Southern Star Bus Transit Inc. has sought the assistance of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to flush out unregistered public utility buses (PUB’s) or colorums allegedly owned by two bus companies plying major routes in the province.

Southern Star branch manager German Avenido wrote the SP on July 28, 2016 raising serious concerns on the operation of PUB’s with expired Land Transportation Office (LTO) registrations and franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The SP, in its regular session on August 5, 2016 gave due course to the Southern Star formal complaint and has referred the complaint to the committee on Public Utility and Franchises chaired by Board Member Romulo Cepedoza.

Avenido singled out two units owned by Mountain Eagle Bus Inc. with plate nos. GVE-332 and GVN-658 and one unit operated by Clynn Transit with plate no. TDO-157 allegedly taking in passengers without a valid LTFRB franchises and LTO registrations.

Avenido also cited the unfair competition with unregistered PUB’s but the outmost consideration is the safety of the commuters who board unregistered buses without the safety check from the LTO.

Bus transportation in the Philippines is governed by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) through it’s line agencies, the LTFRB and the LTO.

The LTFRB regulates the entry and exit of bus operators and sets bus fares while the LTO assists in the implementation of regulations through its registration and inspection functions.

Land tranportation laws are governed by the provisions of RA 4136 known as the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code”. (Chito M. Visarra and Rey Tutas)