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MMDA catches 'legit' bus owners operating colorums too


Some legitimate bus owners plying routes in Metro Manila have been caught operating colorum buses, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said they discovered this after impounding more than 50 colorum buses during the first week of the renewed drive against public transportation vehicles operating illegally. "It is surprising to find out that legitimate bus operators have colorum units within their fleet, and most of them operate provincial routes. It is the riding public that will greatly suffer once these colorums get involved in accidents," Tolentino said in a news release posted on the MMDA website Wednesday night. At least 50 colorum buses were impounded in the first week of the MMDA's renewed drive against unregistered public utility vehicles operating along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and major roads in Metro Manila. As of June 16, about 48 provincial and six city buses were impounded at the ULTRA-1 and two impounding facilities in Pasig City, the MMDA said. The impounded buses were found to have been operating without franchises from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). On the other hand, the MMDA's two task forces — Lawin and Safari — have also apprehended and impounded 73 colorum taxis and AUVs since the operation started last Wednesday, June 15. Tolentino said the ULTRA-1 and 2 impounding areas have been filled up with impounded PUVs that they are now using the parking spaces of their flood control pumping stations, such as the one in Libertad, Pasay City, as temporary storage sites. Meanwhile, MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operation Emerson Carlos said Task Force Lawin and Safari personnel are strategically deployed along EDSA and Roxas Boulevard to go after colorum and out-of-line PUVs. "All impounding facilities of the MMDA strategically located within the metropolis will be made available round-the-clock to serve as holding areas for vehicles apprehended," Carlos said. Tolentino said the campaign is part of the agency's efforts to decongest EDSA and other major thoroughfares. "Colorum and out-of-line PUVs only congest our thoroughfares. They should be taken off the roads to improve traffic flow," Tolentino said. - VVP, GMA News

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