Heard a story about a local motorist who recently visited the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Bacolod City; it is said, despite the “No Parking | For Motor Vehicle Inspection” sign posted, the driver plowed his vehicle into the sign. While the event drew the attention of the public, the driver insisted on his course of action. In response, an LTO official informed the driver of the policy, to which the driver replied, “Sigurado ka? Sigurado ka?” This is an example of how private vehicle operators navigate the road.
They drive their expensive and “macho” vehicles, trying to show the world they are “untouchable” – no, you are not untouchable, you are ignorant and stupid.
Follow the law and one is a considered a “good man” in the eyes of God.
For public utility vehicle (PUV) operators, which include jeepneys, trisikads, and electric tricycles (e-trikes), their arrogance has risen above abuse and ignorance, they refuse to abide by the law. Case in point, they know where to load and offload passengers, but they reject the policy. If only traffic authorities weren’t so afraid.
When jeepney operators are apprehended, they argue poverty. Being poor or rich is not an excuse to violate the law.
Transit leaders have a moral obligation to teach their members to obey the law. Instead, they suggest traffic violation penalties be lowered; what do they mean? If penalties were reduced to a P100 or less, they will violate laws more regularly? Otherwise, the same group has been very vocal in opposing President Rodrigo Duterte’s transport modernization plan. Yet, with so many PUVs on the road, jeepney operators are unable to earn as much because there are so many vehicles.
Meanwhile, a transport network vehicle service (TNVS) company is planning to share its resources to modernize jeepneys. This would be a welcome move (it is also rumored a test program may be run in Bacolod City).
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This column greets Doc Toto Rivera, Panyo Torre, Jing Mider, Bobot Gazo, Mulo dela Rama, Linus Jimenez, Joanne Yoshida, Johnson Ngo, Mikey Benedicto, Inaki Jose, Maritoni Mascardo, Maui dela Cruz, Jason Tupas, Stephen Alquiza, Uly Primacio, Neil Concepcion, Gil Balderas, and Vic Facultad./WDJ