Friday, March 29, 2024

Vehicle using unaccredited Tripda app fined P200,000, impounded

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) handed out a resolution penalizing a colorum transport network vehicle (TNV) offering online enabled transport services without the required permit.

tripda

In an order issued on Thursday, Jan. 21, the agency stated that it is affirming the resolution of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) dated October 8, 2015 for alleged violation of colorum operation involving a Toyota Wagon with plate number PIG-435.

The respondent in the case identified by the LTO Traffic Adjudication Division in the resolution as Rainier Justine Z. dela Paz, who was apprehended by a joint group of LTFRB/LTO personnel during an anti-colorum operation against online enabled transport services in August last year.

In the LTO report, it was stated that Dela Paz was offering an online enabled transport services under Tripda, a ride-sharing application where private motor owners/drivers are offering passengers transport services for a fee.

Tripda originated in Brazil but is backed by tech giant Rocket Internet, whose online properties in the Philippines include e-commerce firms Lazada.comph and Zalora.com.ph. So far, only Uber and GrabCar are the only ride-sharing apps accredited by the government.

On August 15, 2015, the LTO Law Enforcement Team conducted an anti-colorum operation against online enabled transport application sites, employing an Inter-Agency Liaison Officer as a passenger to book a ride via Tripda.

The LTO officer booked a trip from C5 to Marikina for P60 and was picked up by Dela Paz. Upon reaching Sumulong Hi-way, the officer requested to alight where a team of LTFRB/LTO personnel stopped and apprehended Dela Paz for operating an unregistered TNV.

The vehicle was brought by the team to LTO Central Office for impounding and the driver was cited for colorum operation for failure to present a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) and proper permit to operate as public utility vehicle (PUV).

?Any [private] vehicle that failed to secure government accreditation are considered ?colorum? or unauthorized should it hit the streets; together with other traffic law enforcement agencies, we have no resort but to apprehend them,? LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said.

In affirming the resolution, the agency ordered Dela Paz to pay a fine of P200,000, while his vehicle was impounded for three months. The registered owner of the vehicle is also disqualified to operate any kind of public land transportation.

?All TNVS that intent to offer public transport services using online-based technology services must meet and comply with the government?s transport law in ensuring that only public vehicles with legitimate franchise can transport passengers in our roads. We have to foremost ensure the convenience and safety of the riding public, as well as prevent more PUVs on the road that would only contribute to traffic congestion,? said Ginez.

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