Riders hold protest vs ‘abusive’ LTO-7 apprehensions

Local

RIDERS of the motor taxi ride hailing app in Cebu mounted a protest on Friday morning to oppose what they described as abusive apprehensions by personnel of the Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO-7).

Protesters first gathered in front of the Maxim office across from the North Bus Terminal before riding in a caravan toward the LTO-7 office beside the South Bus Terminal along N. Bacalso Avenue.

They held a short program outside the compound while some representatives entered to seek dialogue with LTO officials.

Organizers estimated that around 100 Maxim riders participated in the action, joined by jeepney drivers, transport workers, and other supporters.

The groups said they wanted to draw attention to what they consider unfair treatment of app-based riders in Cebu.

The demonstration came after LTO operations reportedly apprehended at least 10 Maxim riders in the past week for allegedly operating “colorum,” or without a valid franchise.

The apprehended riders said LTO officers issued tickets, confiscated their driver’s licenses, and impounded their motorcycles.

Maxim riders questioned why LTO in Cebu does not allow them to operate while their counterparts in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Southern Tagalog are permitted to ferry passengers.

Last month, it was reported that Maxim is not allowed to operate in Cebu. They are only permitted to operate in refions aforementioned.

They pointed out that Maxim’s national headquarters is based in Cebu City, yet its riders in the province face restrictions.

In statements during the protest, riders argued that app-based transport services should not be required to secure traditional franchises because the permits are issued to the platform operators themselves.

Greg Perez, president of the PISTON Cebu Chapter, voiced support for the riders’ call to stop the apprehensions.

He linked the situation to the wider transport crisis in the country.

“Riders have the right to provide services, especially with the shortage of public transportation,” Perez said.

Perez said many jeepney drivers had already lost their franchises because of government pressure and the ongoing jeepney phaseout.

He added that under the current administration, small livelihoods now faced harassment, with riders being fined heavily despite only trying to earn a living.

He also claimed that the government collected these fines for public projects that, in his view, often failed to materialize.

To formalize their demands, the riders launched a petition addressed to LTO-7.

They called for the immediate release of impounded motorcycles, the return of confiscated driver’s licenses, and the suspension of single-motorcycle apprehensions.

The LTO-7 had yet to comment on the matter as of this writing.(MyTVCebu)