Bus operators deny giving toll to terminal owner

Monday, February 6, 2012

SOUTH-BOUND small bus and public utility jeep operators denied Sunday giving toll or rental to the Lizares-owned DAALCO private property and other business establishments around their waiting station in Libertad.

This came after three south-bound small bus drivers were warned by local traffic authority that they will be banned from the area and their franchise revoked if they were caught paying rental or toll to the owners of private commercial establishments in the vicinity where they park briefly to pick up passengers.

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Vito Gahaton, operator of Maao-Bago-bound Roadstar small buses, disclosed to Sun.Star that they got the warning last Friday after two of his drivers were sighted allegedly giving rent or toll to people identified with the owner of a private property.

My drivers reported to me the Friday incident and they said it was not true; I affirm that we do not give or pay any money as a rent or toll to any private owner in the vicinity, Gahaton said.

A similar warning was also received Thursday by a driver of SDL bus lines, said its owner-operator Nenette Peters. It is true that one of our drivers got the warning but it was not a rental but snack for local friends begging for it, Peters said.

We are aware that the pick-up area we are using is along Mabini Street, and that is a government property. Therefore, we don't have any obligation to any private business person in said area; if at all only to the government, Gahaton said.

When asked for comment, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said south-bound small buses and public utility jeepneys picking up passengers along said area are only accountable to the City Government through the traffic authority and in no way should they be obligated to pay rental or toll to any private person. (Karl G. Ombion)