LTO impounds ‘colorum’ van
The Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 has apprehended a suspected colorum tourist bus after the driver failed to show legal documents and a valid franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
LTO-7 Regional Director Victor Caindec stated that on April 29, while they were patrolling along Plaza Independencia in Cebu City, they noticed a motor vehicle parked on a No Parking area.
The team noticed some foreigners lining up and they also noticed that the plate number of the bus was suspicious.
The team checked the bus registration and the franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board but the driver failed to present any legal documents to support its operation.
"Per our records, the subject bus has no franchise yet based on the plate number. But since this is a temporary plate, we can't be sure unless we know the chassis number and engine number," said Ahmed Cuizon, regional director of LTFRB.
Caindec, on the other hand, said if it will be proven that the tourist bus has no franchise, the operator will have to pay a fine of P1 million.
"More than P1 million for sure if found guilty of all offenses. Mo protest gyud na sigurado. One year impound man na," said Caindec.
Caindec added their legal department has yet to schedule a hearing on this matter so that the operator, SMB Van Transport, a chance to present evidence to controvert the findings of their office.