THE Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Development (BTTMD) has removed at least 200 safety check stickers from traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) operating in Bacolod City without a provisional authority (PA).
Patrick Lacson, BTTMD officer-in-charge, said out of 600 safety check stickers issued to consolidated PUJs, 200 were disqualified due to expired PAs, lack of Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board registrations, and absence of business permits.
“When we examined their documents, we found out that 200 of them have submitted an expired PA, but then, they secured an insurance,” he said.
Lacson also admitted their lapses for the issuance of the safety check stickers for the consolidated traditional PUJs.
The safety check sticker scheme, part of the city’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, aims to ensure commuter safety by verifying PUJs operate with valid documents and insurance.
“This program is for the safety our commuters to ensure that the PUJs here were operating with insurance and valid documents,” he said.
Lacson urged PUJ operators without safety check stickers to visit the BTTMD office to secure them. The requirement will also extend to modernized PUVs to confirm their compliance with necessary regulations. / MAP