AN official of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 reminded drivers of passenger vans, or V-hires, not to undercharge passengers.

LTFRB 7 Assistant Director Reynaldo Elnar said V-hires should follow the P2 per kilometer fare to avoid being penalized for undercharging, which is illegal.

Based on Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, any driver caught undercharging or overcharging their passengers could pay fines from P5,000 for the first offense; P10,000 and the impounding of the unit for the second offense; and P15,000 and the cancellation of the operator’s certificate of public convenience for the third offense.

For Garage to Terminal Express (GT Express) operators doing business at the Cebu City South V-Hire Terminal in Barangay Kamagayan, their days of undercharging their passengers are over.

Douglas Labra, terminal caretaker, told SunStar Cebu that since last year, GT Express drivers have been charging passengers the P2 per kilometer fare.

GT Express operators agreed to implement the fare after LTFRB 7 advised them to do so or face fines. Others implemented the standard fee due to gasoline price hike. (JKV)