Report trip-cutting drivers, public told

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 is urging the public to report to its office jeepney drivers who resort to trip cutting.

LTFRB-7 regional director Eduardo Montealto said the public should also cooperate with them by reporting these unscrupulous jeepney drivers.

"Report it to us kay kami na bahala ana nila. Mapitol lage na," said Montealto.

Romeo Armamento, a jeepney operator, said that the law on trip cutting must be amended wherein drivers committing such violation should be the one to be punished and not the operators.

"Kay ang nahitabo man gud karon ang drivers maoy nag trip-cutting pero ang operators man ang multahan. Walay operators nga gusto mag tripping ang iyang mga drivers," said Armamento, vice  chairman of the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Visayas.

Montealto said that there is already an ongoing discussion on this matter wherein the Land Transportation Office will deputize LTFRB to allow them  to confiscate the driver's license of those who are committing traffic violations including trip cutting.

Some drivers resorted to trip cutting due to traffic which sometimes caused verbal altercations between drivers and passengers as  trip-cutting entails additional fare among the commuters.

Armamento said that jeepney drivers committing trip-cutting must have their driver's license confiscated.

Trip-cutting carries a penalty of P3,000 per violation.

Montealto also urged the public to call 8888 and report those jeepney drivers who are engaged in trip cutting. — MBG (FREEMAN)