LTFRB vows to dismantle illegal, run-down PUV terminals

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday vowed to intensify its operations against illegal transport terminals across the country, citing corruption and risks to public safety.

“Our nationwide campaign against illegal terminals will not only focus on road-side and other makeshift structures. It will also cover illegal terminals in malls and other business establishments,” said LTFRB chairperson Vigor Mendoza II.

In a statement, he added: “Terminals that allow colorum vehicles to operate will not be accredited and their officials would be sued criminally.”

The agency’s crackdown against illegal terminals came after Mendoza’s announcement that the LTFRB is crafting a policy to prevent operators of unsafe and run-down public utility vehicles (PUVs) from renewing franchises.

“Sa napakatagal na panahon, laging binabalewala ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayang mananakay (For the longest time, the safety of our riding public was not prioritized). This must stop and right now, we are initiating aggressive reform programs that will focus on the safety and welfare of the Filipino commuters,” Mendoza said.

He also advised drivers and operators PUVs to use terminals duly accredited by the LTFRB as he warned that their franchise may be suspended or revoked if they support non-accredited or illegal terminals.

The LTFRB chief noted that illegal terminals are often home to colorum vehicles and a major source of corruption on the ground.

Mendoza added that these are mostly located in unsafe areas with substandard facilities that do not protect commuters from changing weather conditions.

In addition, illegal terminals usually do not have no clean and proper comfort rooms, as well as comfortable areas for pregnant women, children, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and senior citizens.

Mendoza said this is against the LTFRB policy on how public transportation terminals must be set up, as he stressed that passengers’ safety and comfort should always be the top priority.

The LTFRB will deploy “mystery passengers” to help monitor and locate all the illegal terminals in Metro Manila and other urban areas.

The agency will also coordinate with other government agencies in investigating and locating illegal terminals.

In addition, all LTFRB regional directors were ordered to conduct random and surprise inspections of all reported bus stations and PUV terminals in their respective areas.

“We should not wait for the holidays to conduct inspection and let me make this clear, those who would not comply should expect consequences,” Mendoza said.

“Our operation will not stop in removing all these illegal terminals, our operation will include investigation to hold accountable all those responsible in the maintenance and supervision of illegal terminals,” he added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News