Transport caravan kicks off

MANILA – Various transport groups have started their transport caravan today in protest of the steeper fines for colorum vehicles and traffic violations. Transport groups earlier said some of their members do not intend to ply their respective routes in protest of a joint administrative order by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which introduces heftier fines for traffic violations. They will stage their protest as they move from the Quezon Memorial Circle en route to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). The groups said the drivers fear getting apprehended by enforcers for different violations such as broken tail lights, pick and drop zones, among others. The joint administrative order, which takes effects today, imposes a much higher fine for colorum vehicles: P1 million for buses, P200,000 for trucks, P50,000 for jeepneys, P200,000 for vans, P120,000 for taxis, and P6,000 for tricycles for the first offense. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and various local government units said they have prepared trucks and other vehicles that will ferry stranded passengers. – report from Kori Quintos, ABS-CBN News