Over 200 'overloaded' PUVs caught exceeding 70% passenger capacity

More than 200 erring public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila were flagged down by the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) due to "overloading" on the first day of the implementation of the 70 percent passenger capacity in public transport.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary and I-ACT chief Manuel Gonzales said most of these violators were caught along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

"Karamihan po dito, nakita ng ating mga enforcers, ay punuan talaga at may iba pang mga nakatayo na ating ipinagbabawal simula nang pinayagan ang ating mga public transport sa lansangan (Most of them are really overloaded and some have standing passengers which is prohibited since public transport have been allowed to resume operations)," Gonzales said.

According to Gonzales, enforcers gave warnings to drivers who were caught overloading instead of issuing tickets to allow them to adjust to the new rules.

"Sa unang araw po, pinagsasabihan namin sila at binibigyan ng warning na dapat ay i-maintain lang ang 70 percent at huwag mag-overload (On the first day, we only warned them and told them to maintain the 70 percent passenger capacity and do not overload their vehicles)," he added.

Gonzales said PUV drivers transporting more than the allowed passenger capacity will face penalties and charges for overloading with P2,000 fine.

The I-ACT head also warned that they will report drivers who will continue to disobey the traffic rule to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the issuance of a show-cause order.

"Yung mga talagang pasaway po, irerefer po namin sa LTFRB para sila po ang mag-issue ng show cause order (We will refer those who are really hard-headed to the LTFRB so that they can issue a show cause order)," he said.

The DOTr started on Nov. 4 the gradual increase of passenger capacity in rail lines and selected PUVs following the approval of the government's pandemic tack force amid the continuous decline in COVID-19 infections and aggressive vaccination rollout.

Under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2021-064, passenger buses, jeepneys, and UV Express in Metro Manila and the provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan may operate under the approved passenger capacity.

Aside from the downward trend in COVID cases, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III emphasized the need to increase passenger capacity in PUVs due to the growing demand for public transportation as quarantine restrictions are beginning to ease and more businesses are reopening.

He added that the increase in passenger capacity will also help cushion the impact of the pandemic and the recent hike in fuel prices on the livelihood of PUV drivers and operators.