3 colorum vans impounded

CEBU, Philippines - At least three vehicles were apprehended for colorum operation by the joint operatives of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board- 7 and the Mabolo Police Station Tuesday night.

LTFRB-7 director Ahmed Cuizon said the vehicles were operating as GT Express units without a franchise.  Cuizon said the operation stemmed from a phone-in complaint last week about the vans illegally transporting passengers during night time from SM City at the North Reclamation Area to Naga City.

The LTFRB-7 conducted surveillance ope-rations by using decoys. Cuizon said they trailed the vans while transporting passengers.

The vehicles include two Toyota commuter vans and a Nissan van.

The vehicles were already turned over for impounding at the Land Transportation Office.

Cuizon said that under the Joint Administrative Order No. 1 of the Department of Transportation and Communications, the penalty for operating a colorum van is P200,000.

Cuizon explained that colorum operations are dangerous for passengers because they are not covered by insurance.

"If an accident happens, the passengers won't be able to claim insurance which is a basic requirement for getting a franchise. These vehicles also do not conform to safety standards imposed by government," Cuizon said.

He said that colorum operations had been the subject of complaints by legitimate operators of public utility vehicles in Cebu. Cuizon vowed to intensify the campaign against colorum operations.

"If you have complaints against any PUV violations, please get it touch with us through our hotline, text and viber numbers which are conspicuously posted on public utility vehicles," Cuizon said. (FREEMAN)