Toyota operates libreng sakay in Santa Rosa and Pasay City
“If you regularly travel in Santa Rosa City in Laguna and Pasay City in Metro Manila, this might come in handy: Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has launched a one-year ‘libreng sakay’ initiative in the two cities as part of its Toyota Community Shuttle (TCS) program.
“The free rides kicked off on December 1 in Santa Rosa and December 2 in Pasay. Five brand-new, air-conditioned units of Toyota Lite Ace in FX configuration are now deployed to ply what TMP calls ‘dynamic routes,’ with operations running from 6am to 6pm.
“You may be wondering now how to get a free ride on one of these shuttles. For that, you will need the myTOYOTA Shuttle PH app, which provides on-demand shuttle management to streamline route planning and seat booking. Once you have the app installed, you can then book a ride, and even monitor the shuttle’s real-time location and arrival time.
“‘The TCS is not only helpful in creating a hassle-free ride experience for daily commuters, but is also complementary to the local government’s sustainable city or ‘eco-city’ initiative, using such optimization and digital integration in intra-city transportation,’ said TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto.”
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LTO to relax ‘no registration, no travel’ enforcement
“Owners of unregistered motor vehicles will get a brief reprieve as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be easing the strict implementation of its ‘no registration, no travel’ policy until the new year. The measure has been approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“‘Panahon ngayon ng pagdiriwang at ayaw naman natin na ang inyong LTO ay magdudulot pa ng stress sa ating mga kababayan,’ said agency chief Atty Vigor Mendoza II.
“‘Pero gusto ko lang linawin na walang forever ang pagluluwag natin sa mga delinquent motor vehicles,’ he stressed, advising owners to allocate a portion of their 13th month pay or Christmas bonus for registration renewal. ‘Pagkatapos ng New Year celebration, balik ulit tayo sa dating paghihigpit.’
“The LTO’s regional offices in Region VI and the National Capital Region have seen a notable increase in renewals after the LTO announced the revival of the ‘no registration, no travel’ policy on November 16.
“Since the announcement until November 30, Region 6 saw a total of 3,671 renewals for four-wheeled vehicles and 8,712 for motorcycles. The NCR office, meanwhile, collected P919,604.69 in registration fees on December 4—its highest daily collection yet.
“The LTO announced in mid-November that 24.7 million motor vehicles were found to have delinquent registration based on its audit of data. That figure represents 65% of vehicles and motorcycles on the road, and a revenue loss of P18.4 billion.
Fast lanes for registration of delinquent motor vehicles
“The LTO chief has already given the order to set up ‘fast lanes’ to expedite the registration of delinquent motor vehicles, which make up 65% of vehicles on our roads. This measure is part of what he calls ‘Oplan Balik Rehistro, Be Road Ready.’
“‘All owners who will be availing voluntary registration under this Oplan shall be given priority, and all District/Extension Offices shall designate a fast lane for this purpose,’ reads the LTO memorandum.
“In addition, the agency is rolling out ‘one-stop shop’ service caravans at various locations to reach more vehicle owners with delinquent registrations.
“‘We are implementing programs to reach out to our clients so that they will be encouraged to register their motor vehicles,’ Mendoza said. ‘Ayaw din namin sa LTO na dumating pa sa punto ng panghuhuli dahil sa laki ng penalties na babayaran.’”
“If you’re caught driving an unregistered vehicle, you’ll be given a P10,000 fine, and your vehicle will be impounded if your vehicle has been unregistered for more than one month. You can read this article about the penalty for not registering your car for three years.”
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CCLEX to have cruise-ship-inspired rest stop
“The upcoming 5,580sqm toll service facility at Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) could eventually turn out into a meet-up spot for car and motorcycle enthusiasts in the south.
“Set to open before the end of 2024, the CCLEX Drive & Dine will feature a cruise-ship-inspired structure that will house a three-story food hub. It is modeled after the NLEX Drive & Dine facility, and is being touted as a ‘dining destination’ with offerings ranging from quick eats to upscale restaurants.
“The project has an estimated cost of P300 million, and will take six to eight months to complete. Once fully operational, it can accommodate 1,000 diners and 280 vehicles.
“‘The Queen City of the South takes her food seriously, and food can be such an excellent representation of the culture it stems from,’ said Renie Ticzon, division head for motorway commercial facilities at MPT Mobility. ‘This is what guides our plans for the dining scene at CCLEX Drive & Dine.’”
