Me Getting Pissed

Have you ever came across with public utility vehicles that metaphorically made you release smokes in your ears?

There are those who'd make you look for change for your 100 peso bill even though its supposed to be part of what they must do. There are those who'd give you a 1-peso deficit change and you have no say about it but when it's you (passenger) who'd give a 1-peso deficit fare, they'd react as if you murdered one of them. There are those who doesn't honor you a fare privilege for students because you are not wearing uniform when in fact the fare matrix only requires a valid identification card. There are those who made you feel how it is to be one of the sardines in a tin can for they carry more passengers than the number allowed by the law. There are those who would not bring you to your designated location even though there route says they must.

Those are just few of the many complaints. Complaints that were not addressed. They were not addressed since what do passengers know about it? What could they possibly say to PUV drivers and conductors to make a point? (Making a point and arguing with PUV drivers and conductors is typically hard for they seem to have a "know-all" attitude and they "think" they are always right, unfortunately.)

I personally have experienced the incidents stated above and the most recent was around 5:30 PM this afternoon (February 27). The route of the van says that it would go to Gaisano Mall and all the way to KCC Mall. But I didn't know how to react when the conductor asked me to step down for they won't push through the KCC route for their reason that it would cost extra hassle for them. Because I am not much of a nagger, I quietly went out and walked my way to KCC. But I am tired of repeatedly experiencing these cases and I would like to make an end on all of them. And so, I did a research and found out that I could make a list of all the violations that they committed and would cost them much hassle than expected. (Bwahahahaha! Evil Laugh.)

Under the Memorandum Circular 2005-006, public utility vehicles are required to provide additional markings "No Smoking" and "How's my driving? (with LTO/LTFRB Hotline Numbers)." Failure to adhere would have a penalty of 500.00 pesos per signage per offense.

Fare matrix must also be displayed, and take note of this, it must be the original copy, not a photocopied one according the Memorandum Circular 2005-024. I have never seen an original fare matrix displayed by the way. Failure to adhere would have a 500.00 penalty for the 1st offense, 1000.00 for the second offense, and cancellation of permit on the 3rd offense.

Memorandum Circular 2008-031 also includes mandatory display of fare matrix and mandatory compliance to the fare matrix. Overcharging and not honoring 20% discount for students has a penalty of 3000.00 for the 1st offense, 4000.00 for the 2nd, 5000.00 for the 3rd, suspension for the 4th, and cancellation for the 5th offense.

Section 32 (Exceeding Registered Capacity) of Republic Act 4136 states that no person operating any vehicle shall allow more passenger in his vehicle than its registered carrying capacity. Failure to adhere would unfortunately only have a 100.00-peso fine.

All in all, the PUV driver I rode earlier could have paid 1,400 pesos to 7,100 pesos as fines for all penalties mentioned above.

There are more laws that would cater our transportation needs specifically the students when Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara's House Bill 00090 would be accepted. It is an act institutionalizing the grant of student fare discount privileges on land, water and air transport utilities and for other purposes. One of its key section is the Section 4 stating a 20% discount privilege for students during the entire school year for elementary and secondary students, during the semester for college students, and during the duration of the course for vocational or technical students, including Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, and Christmas vacations. (Yehey!!!)

This is a result of me getting pissed off. This may and could also serve as information for all of you out there who share my concern.