Friday, October 10, 2008 'All Aboard' to resume operations as tourist transport
THE All Aboard Transport Services will be made to follow the provisions of its certificate of public convenience, that of a tourist transport service, as condition for allowing it to resume operation.
This was the decision of the Traffic Management and Control Board's final recommendation during a meeting Wednesday afternoon.
A board resolution requesting the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to adapt and implement the recommendation will be signed and delivered to both parties within this week.
City Council energy committee chair Pilar Braga, who presided the meeting, said All Aboard may continue to operate as long as it follows its franchise rules.
"They were here during the meeting and were also part of the technical working group so they know about this. Payag naman sila," Braga said.
She added that All Aboard can still ply the Calinan and Toril routes provided they do not pick up passengers aside from those that have been booked earlier as part of a tour service. This being the complaint of existing transport cooperatives in the area who are affected by the better and cheaper fare rates of All Aboard vans.
The company was also instructed initiate the seminar of its drivers on traffic rules and regulations to be facilitated by the Land Transportation Office and Traffic Management Center.
TMCB secretary Alfredo Pontillo also said that All Aboard can apply for permit to operate in the developmental routes created by TMCB but has to change its franchise to that of an airconditioned public utility vehicle.
"It is a choice that we are offering them should operate as a tourist service proves not viable businesswise," Pontillo said.
He added that as of present, All Aboard can pick up passengers with its Ulas-Ulas route via Diversion Road as there are no existing transport groups who will be affected.
"Kani lang man ang Calinan ug Toril nila nga operation ang naay complainant so dapat strikto sa implementation sa franchise nila na tourist service. Katong mga area sa Diversion Road na wala kaayo sakyanan, pwede pa sila maka pick up didto," Pontillo said.
The main purpose of the TMCB meetings, he said, is to address the complaints of transport groups in the third district who have been affected by the operation of All Aboard.
"Mag pick up man sila sa ruta nga naay existing nga naga-operate so magreklamo gyud. Dapat mubalhin sila sa areas nga wala'y operation," Pontillo said. (GLP)
