Ramirez: Overloading, overcharging

IT IS during holidays like All Souls’ and All Saints’ days that grumblings about overloading and overcharging by drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) become the talk of the town. However, unknown to many, the abuse happens all year round.

One of my students who live in Carcar City said the culprits are the minibuses that don’t only overload, but also impose a uniform fare even if passengers only get in or disembark midway to its final destination. This is overcharging and obviously illegal.

The same student said minibuses don’t only charge a flat rate regardless of the distance, they also refuse to honor the 20 percent discount for the students, persons with disability and senior citizens that would bring their fare down to P51 from P60.

After a day at work or at school, commuters are desperate to go home and this is the reason they become the willing victims even if they know that they are already exploited by unrelenting minibus drivers.

My student could not understand why regular buses and jeepneys are compliant in charging the right amount to their passengers while minibuses have been abusing passengers for the longest time?

Aside from overcharging, it is a daily occurrence that minibuses would overload up to 20 or more passengers, letting them stand on the aisle of the vehicle until they finally arrive at its destination, running at a daredevil speed.

The same student said that, one time, there was a checkpoint at the South Coastal Road (SCR) on their way to the city. To their surprise, they were forced by the driver to disembark to avoid apprehension. As a result, they were like wanderers in a deserted area and were only able to leave through the generosity of private car owners who gave them a lift.

When chaos occurs on the road due to traffic congestion, inefficient mass transport, dilapidated public utility vehicles and the absence of regulators, it is the commuters who are at the receiving end of profiteering.

In reality, holidays are the least exploitative for the commuters because it is only during these times that government regulatory bodies and the local government units focus their attention on the situation, giving drivers reason to restrain.

Like any other issue, the problem of overloading and overcharging can be lessened if not eliminated if the Land Transportation Office (LTO), with the help of the affected LGU, would exert effort in apprehending abusive minibus drivers.

With overloading and overcharging happening under the noses of the authorities, you could not prevent the public from thinking that these abusive minibus drivers might have enjoyed the leniency in exchange for their share of the booty.

In my layman’s understanding, I wonder why transportation regulatory bodies could not send their agents to ride on the minibuses, like what policemen do in fielding poseur buyers while conducting drug bust operations, if they are serious to put a stop to overloading and overcharging.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph