The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered two jeepney operators serving Cebu City’s 01K route to explain why their units allegedly refused to accommodate commuters despite the availability of government-funded free rides.
The LTFRB 7 issued show cause orders against JP and Sons Transport Group Inc. and Aleja Fua Rent a Car Corp. on Oct. 31, directing them to answer complaints involving modernized public utility jeepneys allegedly passing up waiting passengers in Mabolo.
The investigation followed a report by The Freeman, which included video footage of commuters waiting at a designated stop during the evening rush hour as jeepneys allegedly passed without picking them up.
The incident drew widespread attention online, with passengers sharing similar complaints and questioning whether the problem extended beyond the reported occurrence.
In its orders, the LTFRB said refusing to transport passengers without justifiable reason may constitute refusal to render public service or refusal to convey passengers under existing regulations and Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01.
Both operators were given five working days from receipt of the orders to submit verified written explanations addressing the allegations.
JP and Sons must account for the conduct of the unit involved in the reported incident, while Aleja Fua Rent a Car was specifically cited over a modernized jeepney with plate number NLF9745.
The operators must also submit updated vehicle registration documents, valid franchise or operating permits, passenger accident insurance coverage and records identifying the drivers assigned to the units when the incident occurred.
The LTFRB further directed the operators and their concerned drivers to attend a hearing on Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. at the agency’s regional hearing room in Cebu.
Failure to submit the required documents or attend the proceedings may be treated as a waiver of their right to be heard, allowing the board to resolve the case based on available evidence and records.
Depending on the outcome, the operators could face administrative fines or the suspension or revocation of their Certificates of Public Convenience or Provisional Authorities.
The investigation places the implementation of the Libreng Sakay program along the 01K route under scrutiny, particularly the responsibility of participating transport providers to accommodate commuters entitled to free rides.
The two operators have yet to submit their explanations, and the allegations remain subject to the LTFRB’s administrative proceedings.
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