The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has recently announced that it has successfully collected a total of P18 million in fines within a span of just 22 days. This significant amount of fines was collected as part of the department’s ongoing anti-colorum campaign, which aims to protect the welfare of both commuters and motorists.
In order to fully understand the importance of this campaign, it is essential to first define what colorum vehicles are. According to the DoTr, colorum vehicles are private motor vehicles that operate as public utility vehicles without proper authorization from the Land Transportation Office and Franchising Regulatory Board. These vehicles are considered illegal and unregistered, as they have not undergone the necessary road-worthiness tests and do not possess the required permits to operate as public transportation.
One of the main reasons why colorum vehicles are deemed unsafe is due to the fact that they have not undergone the necessary road-worthiness tests. These tests are put in place to ensure that vehicles are in proper working condition and meet the necessary safety standards. By operating without these tests, colorum vehicles pose a potential risk not only to the passengers but also to other road users.
Another issue with colorum vehicles is the fare that passengers are charged. In most cases, passengers of colorum vehicles are charged higher fares compared to those charged by registered public utility vehicles. This unfair practice not only puts a financial burden on commuters but also undermines the regulated fare structure put in place by the government to protect the interests of the public.
To address these issues, the DoTr has implemented an intensive campaign led by the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation, the traffic enforcement arm of the department. As part of this campaign, a fine of P200,000 has been levied on drivers and operators of illegal and unregistered vans, while a penalty of P1 million has been imposed on operators of colorum buses.
The success of this campaign is evident in the P18 million in penalties collected from February 1 to 22 alone. This significant amount was collected from 50 colorum vehicle operators, highlighting the extent of the problem and the importance of cracking down on illegal and unregistered public utility vehicles.
The collection of these fines not only serves as a deterrent to potential violators but also sends a clear message that the government is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of commuters and motorists. By taking strict action against colorum vehicles, the DoTr is working towards creating a more regulated and secure public transportation system.
In conclusion, the Department of Transportation’s anti-colorum campaign has proven to be successful in collecting fines from illegal and unregistered public utility vehicles. The campaign serves to protect the welfare of commuters and motorists by cracking down on vehicles that pose potential risks due to their lack of proper authorization and road-worthiness tests. The fines collected send a strong message that the government is dedicated to creating a safer and more regulated public transportation system.
Source: The Manila Times
