Collection of terminal fees legal but only until Sept. 17

By Maricar M. Calubiran

There is nothing wrong with the collection of terminal fees after all.

Drivers gather at the LTFRB Regional Office in Tabuk Suba, Jaro to get the new fare matrix which pegs the minimum regular fare rate at seven pesos.

The temporary franchise given to terminal operators allows them to collect terminal fees ranging from P20 for public utility vehicle with a maximum passenger of 25; P30 for public utility vehicle with a capacity of 26-30 passengers; P20 for vans with maximum capacity of 14 passengers; P40 for buses and P30 for mini-bus.

However, terminal operators only have until September 17, 2005 to collect terminal fees, that is, if they could not be able to renew their franchises.

The 180-day terporary franchise given to terminal operators in order to comply with the requirements set by the Perimeter Boundary Ordinance (PBO) would end on September 17.

Mayor Jerry Treñas explained should terminal operators fail to comply with the requirements and submit it to Sangguniang Panglungsod before September 9, they could still “operate but could no longer collect terminal fees after September 17.”

The operation of a passenger terminal is subject to the city council's approval.

Presently, there are seven transport terminals operating in the different boundaries in the city.

Operators of transport terminals were given temporary franchises to operate within 180-day period. The 180 days begun after the last day of the publication of an ordinance that grants them the franchise. The ordinance was published on March 17, 2005. This gives the passenger terminal operators to operate and collect terminal fees until September 17, 2005.

The requirements in the franchise specifically states that the terminal should be flood-free and supported by proper drainage, it has septic tanks for comfort rooms, has pick up or drop off area for private vehicles and city public utility vehicles and vans for hire, has roofing facility for passengers, concrete pathway for the passengers to pass connecting the arrival and departure, a water closet urinal and lavatory for disable and elderly passengers and telephone for public use. If the terminal operators could comply these requirements, they are given 10 years to operate.

It was learned that of the seven passenger terminals, only the Aleosan terminal has no deficiencies.