NCTAP chief director Ramon Santiago said the unsettled traffic summons from 121 Metro Manila based bus firms were issued from January 1, 2004 up to January 27, 2005.

The NCTAP released the other day the top 20 "wanted" bus firms with the highest number of traffic violations and unpaid traffic fines.

Topping the list is Jell Transport, Inc., with 3, 265 unsettled traffic summonses; Nova Transport, 3,061; MAFEL Transit, 2,961; JMK Liner, 2,413; Five Star Bus Company, 2,395; Lucky Seven, 2,330; Pascual Liner, 2,324; Baves G, 1,965; Victory Liner, 1,892; and Don Mariano Transit Corp., with 1,786.

Others were Royal Transport at number 11 with 1,170; followed by Admiral Transport, Inc., 1,649; VIL 5000, Inc., 1,606; NS Transport Service, Inc., 1,364; Philippine Corinthian Liner, 1 110; Mayamy Transport, 1, 289; Gasat Express, 1052; and Ismael Bus Line, 1,215.

A traffic summon is the notice being sent by the MMDA by mail to the bus companies whose drivers have committed certain traffic violations.

The traffic violation has been captured and recorded by camera-equipped traffic enforcers scattered along EDSA to spot unsuspecting motorists.

Each summons contained the picture of the vehicle while in the act of committing a violation, the nature of violation and the appropriate fines to be paid.

Santiago said a bus firm or vehicle owner has 14 days to pay the fine for violations or risk being impounded.

He said this is the reason why bus operators are petitioning the abolition of NCTAF and the Metropolitan Traffic Ticket (MTT).

"The enforcement is becoming more efficient and they are starting to feel its impact, especially those who maintain colorum buses," Santiago pointed out.

The NCTAP is one of the three traffic programs ordered stopped by the Makati Regional Trial Court following the filing of a petition for preliminary injunction by the transport groups composed mostly of bus companies.