THE Land Transportation Office-Davao Region (LTO-Davao) will intensify its campaign against "bao-bao" type tricycles after receiving various complaints of overcharging since the resumption of the face-to-face (F2F) classes
In a press statement, LTO apprehended a bao-bao driver, who was servicing routes from Toril to Baliok, on Tuesday morning, August 16. The driver was intercepted by enforcement personnel in front of a mall.
This stemmed from a viral post posted on Facebook, wherein the complainant sought help from LTFRB to take action on the overcharging fare set by the driver.
According to the complainant, whose name is withheld, the driver charged three students traveling from Toril Public Market to Baliok with P30 each, while two students going to Bago Gallera were charged with P50 each.
The trike was impounded for franchise-related violations, including Republic Act 4136 or the "Land Transportation and Traffic Code."
LTFRB-Davao Director Neil Cañedo told SunStar Davao in a phone interview on Wednesday, August 17, that they have also been receiving various complaints from passengers against bao-bao drivers who charged a higher fare.
"Karong pagsugod sa klase nagsugod ang mga complaints kay kasagaran sa mga naga-complaint kay mga teachers ug estudyante (Since the start of the F2F classes, we started receiving complaints, mostly from teachers and students)," Cañedo said.
He said most of these complaints are from Obrero and Mintal areas.
In addition, some bao-bao drivers are taking advantage of the scarce number of jeepneys and taxis running during peak hours for the past weeks.
According to him, the maximum charge should be P20.
While he understands that some drivers would charge more, especially if they will only be servicing a few passengers at a far-distant route, he said drivers should not abuse their charging.
This also goes out to other types of tricycles.
"Kanang mga ing-ana na butang, masabtan man nato. Dili lang mag-abusado ug sobra maningil. Kasabot mi na krudo gataas ug nihit ang pasahero, pero dili lang unta nila i-take advantage ni nga panahuna kay tanan kita galisod (We understand them if they would be charging at a higher cost. We just hope they won’t be abused in charging. We understand that fuel prices increase, while the influx of passengers remains low. We just hope that they won't take advantage because everyone is struggling to cope with the rising prices)," Cañedo said.
The LTO official said overcharging could result in license and franchise revocation if done consecutively.
Another violation that most bao-bao drivers commit is they traverse along the national highways, and main roads, which are prohibited for tricycle-type vehicles.
He also said some are also plying outside their franchise route, which is considered breach of franchise.
Cañedo said their enforcers continuously remind these drivers of the policies on safe driving.
However, due to low compliance, he instructed his personnel to be deployed in some areas in the city and flag down erring drivers.
The official said he already coordinated with the Davao City government through the City Traffic Transport and Management Office (CTTMO), one of the lead offices in charge of supervising the City Franchising Board, to address this matter.
SunStar Davao reached out CTTMO Head Dionisio Abude on the recent complaint, however, he has not responded as of writing.
CTTMO had also been conducting various operations where they seized bao-bao trikes after receiving complaints of overcharging.
In a Facebook post, the CTTMO-Special Operation Team received numerous complaints from franchised tricycles and jeepney drivers about unfair competition, particularly when some routes are forcibly banned from them.
CTTMO previously seized bao-bao trikes along Tulip Drive. RGL