TWENTY colorum vehicles were apprehended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Central Visayas on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
According to LTFRB-Central Visayas Director Eduardo Montealto Jr., 16 units used the inDriver app, while four used the Maxim app, both of which are non-accredited Transport Network Companies (TNCs).
The vehicles were apprehended in checkpoints set up on Juan Luna Ave. Extn. in Cebu City and on Ouano Ave. in Mandaue City.
Montealto said Indriver and Maxim did not apply for accreditation to operate in the region.
“These TNCs don’t even have an office here in Cebu. The drivers just downloaded the apps that they advertise on Facebook,” he said in Cebuano.
He added that the two ride-hailing apps were founded in Russia.
The official said many drivers prefer to use these apps because there is less hassle and the apps do not have any requirements.
“The danger with illegal TNCs is that they don’t have passenger insurance. Also, their drivers did not undergo training at the LTFRB. The agency provides training to anyone who wants to drive a public utility vehicle (PUV),” Montealto said in Cebuano.
He said the ride-hailing services that are accredited in the region are Grab Driver, MyCab, Hirna and Hype.
The Department of Transportation’s Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 states that a PUV is not allowed to operate outside of its approved route or area without a prior permit from the Board or outside the exceptions provided under existing memorandum circulars.
A colorum van will be meted a penalty of P200,000, while a colorum sedan will be meted a penalty of P120,000. Apprehended vehicles will be impounded for a minimum of three months. (JCT)