Drivers: Lessen fines for traffic violations

DRIVERS from the Alliance of Transportation Organization Member Intra Cebu (Atomic) yesterday met with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to propose programs for their benefit.

Atomic, which has at least 200 member drivers plying 64 routes, requested the mayor to lower fines for traffic violations to lessen their burdens.

“What will be left for us if we have to pay every time we get caught?” said Atomic chairman Rudy Laconza, who met the mayor with three other Atomic officers.

A driver caught stopping outside a jeepney stop is fined P1,200. The fine is doubled on second offense.

The drivers also want the city to mark jeepney stops clearly.

They also asked the city government to provide them with PhilHealth cards so that they will have hospitalization benefits.

“We would like the city government to help us,” said Laconza.

Laconza said the increasing oil prices have been a big problem for drivers.

The drivers said they want Rama to look into some abusive Land and Transportation Office (LTO) officials who are extorting cash from PUJ drivers during the smoke-belching test.

Mayor Rama said the city recognizes the importance of the PUJ drivers in Cebu City but he will still check if Atomic’s proposals are applicable.

The organization also requested the city government to lend them a multicab for the distribution of the Pantawid Pasada cards to their drivers.