LTFRB commits to sustain crackdown vs PUV terminals with run-down facilities

 

(Photo courtesy of LTFRB-NCR)

By Jimmyley Guzman 

QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has committed to sustaining the nationwide crackdown against bus and public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals with run-down facilities.

In line with the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the welfare of Filipino commuters, LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II vowed to put an end to the misplaced mentality of terminal managers and operators of taking their passengers for granted. 

“We will not hesitate to shut down the operations of these terminal managers, some of them are connected with transportation companies. The agreement is clear: the government authorizes them to operate a terminal under the condition that they will provide the basic facilities to ensure passenger comfort and safety,” said Mendoza.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTR), as of February 16, a total of 243 bus and PUV terminals nationwide were inspected as part of the measures to compel terminal managers and operators to comply with the government requirements to provide comfortable services to Filipino commuters.

Of the 243 bus and PUV terminals inspected, Mendoza said 116 of them were issued with a show cause order (SCO) and notice to comply due to numerous violations that include insufficient facilities to secure waiting passengers from weather conditions, comfort rooms that are not working, and tight spaces that compromise the comfort and safety of the passengers.

DOTr also took note of other violations, which include a lack of security measures and comfortable access to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Mendoza added that the DOTr will continue to monitor compliance of the LTFRB regional office in the conduct of random and surprise inspections.

Based on the LTFRB data, Metro Manila has the most number of terminals inspected with 40, followed by Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao with 30 each, and Calabarzon with 27. 

“This will continue because the goal is to make the conduct of regular inspection a new normal. This is the obligation of the LTFRB to the Filipino commuters, and we will comply,” he added. (JEG/PIA-NCR)