The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has initiated an immediate crackdown on the illegal operation of motor vehicles as public service vehicles (PSVs) by ordering on-the-spot seizures of such vehicles.
Acting CEO Irimaia Rokosawa stated in a circular dated June 27 that LTA has received numerous complaints from stakeholders and government agencies about a significant rise in the illegal use of motor vehicles as PSVs across various regions.
“This memo serves to express the management’s disappointment in the current laxity of our enforcement teams in addressing this critical issue,” Mr. Rokosawa expressed in the circular.
“The role of the LTA is to ensure that all transport operations within the country comply with the law, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of our transport system. It is imperative that we uphold this responsibility with utmost diligence,” he added.
Mr. Rokosawa highlighted that any private vehicle caught performing PSV tasks will be issued a traffic infringement notice (TIN) and a warning. Vehicles found in violation will be seized for investigation with escalating penalties for repeated offenses.
For a first offense, the vehicle will be seized for no less than two days. A second offense will lead to a seizure for no less than four days. Upon a third offense, the vehicle will be seized, a TIN and a first warning notice will be issued, and the vehicle will remain seized until a show-cause hearing and a decision is completed by the CEO.
During the show-cause hearings, vehicle owners will be required to justify why their vehicle registration should not be de-registered or suspended.
“The management expects compliance with these directives and a marked improvement in the enforcement of transport regulations,” Mr. Rokosawa concluded.