Public urged to report PUJ overloading violations, others

Mayor Benjamin Magalong is asking the public to immediately report to authorities public utility jeepneys (PUJs)   in the city that are exceeding 70 percent capacity limit of passengers so that appropriate action can be taken against the erring drivers.

In a recent media forum, the Mayor said he  met earlier with officers of local PUJ federations and agreed that an “X” mark will be put on jeepney seats that are not supposed to be sat on in order to maintain a 70 percent capacity limit.    

“It is unfortunate, however, that whenever there is an agreement, there are still those who violate, ” the Mayor said as he reminded PUJ operators to strictly follow the capacity limit.

The Mayor said he has already ordered the police to apprehend a PUJ driver who was caught overloading at Aurora Hill and directed Baguio’s Finest to continue monitoring jeepneys  traversing the area.    

He is encouraging the public to help catch violators by reporting the plate number, jeepney line and other details  so that necessary actions can immediately be taken by police.    

One can also take a picture of  the vehicle and send it to authorities, the Mayor said. 

He strongly suggested  using the ‘911’ feature of the Baguio In My Pocket  for those who have already enrolled in the free digital application to alert police on PUJ drivers overloading their vehicles or any other violations for that matter.     

Within seconds, the picture sent via BIMP can be seen at the Smart City Command Center including where the photo was taken so it could be speedily acted upon, the Mayor said. – Gaby B. Keith