LTO's 'Oplan Pasaway' to crack down on choosy taxis, colorum PUVs amid holiday rush
Dealing with the holiday traffic is bad enough, but for commuters, finding a ride adds to their woes during the season.
As the number of commuters surges during the holiday rush, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered a crackdown on picky taxi drivers and colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs) as part of its "Oplan Pasaway" campaign.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II noted that during the holiday rush, more passengers are complaining about cab drivers as they would negotiate and refuse passengers if they disagree with the fare they demand.
“Marami sa mga taxi driver ang nangongontrata at talagang hindi nagpapasakay kung hindi papayag sa gusto nilang presyuhan," Mendoza said, adding that this incident is strictly prohibited as it violates their franchise.
For "Oplan Pasaway," LTO officers would be stationed across Metro Manila and other major cities to patrol malls and other gathering spots to pursue erratic cars and abusive taxi drivers. The agency will also coordinate with the Philippine National Police through the Highway Patrol Group and mall security managers in the crackdown.
Addressing picky taxi drivers, Mendoza pleaded for drivers to "not abuse" commuters.
“Tama na huwag na nating abusuhin ang ating pasahero, Pasko oo, may konting dagdag, may 13th month pay pero ubos na yun eh. So ang atin talaga, huwag subukan dahil umiikot ang DOTr and LTO at LTFRB para protektahan ang pasahero and we will impose the harshest penalty of the law, otherwise paulit-ulit na lang ‘to,” he said.
Mendoza also stated that he had given Francis Almora, the agency's director for Law Enforcement Service, instructions to send out enforcers even beyond regular office hours, especially at night when there are more passengers.
The LTO exec also urged the public to stay vigilant and immediately report incidents with violators to any LTO enforcers, mall guards, and police officers in the area.
On December 20, 11 taxi drivers have already been apprehended for refusing passengers and setting a fixed price. LTO has also been cracking down on colorum vehicles and "habal-habal" drivers.
If caught, choosy cab drivers can be slapped with P5,000 for the first offense.
Worsening holiday traffic
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) issued a traffic advisory earlier this month, alerting the public to the possibility of worsening traffic conditions as Christmas Day draws near.
Romando Artes, the acting chairman of the MMDA, earlier stated that after putting certain safeguards in place, the traffic authority is convinced that its personnel could handle traffic on important highways. This also includes establishing a "strike force" to expedite the apprehension of traffic violators.
"We are sure we can manage traffic; we can manage that Metro Manila will not turn into a parking lot," he said.
The MMDA said on Dec. 18 that vehicle volume in the metro has increased by 10,000 to 15,000 in the past two weeks during rush hour.
The agency also noted on Friday, Nov. 24, that the window period of the current number coding scheme will be retained amid the holiday rush.