LTFRB urged to reconsider UV Express vehicle ban

A former congressman urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday to reconsider its ban on UV Express service vans on EDSA, saying the prohibition is against the law.

“This is tantamount to an amendment of the franchise issued to UV express service operators. However, perhaps through inadvertence, such amendment was made without notice and hearing required by the Public Service Act,” Vigor Mendoza II told the Usaping Balita forum at the Serye Café in Quezon City.

“The ban also violates the due process clause of the Constitution,” he said.

Mendoza represented the party- list group 1- United Transport Koalisyon and now chairs the Kilusan sa Pagbabago ng Industriya ng Transportasyon.

UV Express operators provide point-to-point transportation service.

Another transport group, Piston, said the LTFRB implemented an “anti- commuter and anti-poor” policy when it failed to consult them through a public hearing.

Piston president George San Mateo said the LTFRB should not single out UV Express as it caters to more passengers compared to private vehicles, which serve only one to three people.

He said the LTFRB should ban private vehicles from EDSA instead.

In a memorandum, the LTFRB prohibited UV Express vehicles from traversing EDSA, apparently so they would not contribute to traffic congestion.

In a separate directive, the agency disallowed the sale and transfer of any public utility vehicle franchise.

As for the prohibition against the sale of any PUV franchise, he said the directive similarly violates the Public Service Act ( Commonwealth Act 146), which allows it.

“We agree with the LTFRB that we should put a stop to the commercialization of franchise, but unfortunately, without Congress amending the law, we cannot do otherwise, lest the LTFRB be accused of usurping legislative authority,” he added.

Many operators of passenger buses and other public vehicles sell their franchises and their units without even informing the LTFRB.

In many cases, the agency discovers the transfer when buses are involved in accidents.