LTFRB orders 29 bus, PUV terminals to follow passenger safety, comfort regulations

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued show cause orders (SCO) or notices to comply to 29 operators of bus and public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals over poor, inadequate facilities for passengers.

In a statement on Sunday, LTFRB chair Vigor Mendoza II said this was after the agency deployed its personnel to conduct random and surprise inspections of bus and PUV terminals across the country.

Of the 155 bus and PUV terminals inspected nationwide, 87 were non-compliant with the LTFRB’s rules and regulations on what facilities they must have to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort.

The inspections focused on comfortable waiting areas with sufficient protection from weather conditions, clean comfort rooms, accessibility of facilities to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, existence of fire extinguishers and CCTV cameras, and wide entry and exit points.

Most of the bus and PUV terminals summoned and issued with notices to comply were in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) with 20 terminals, Metro Manila with 13, and Calabarzon with 12 terminals.

“The regular inspection of bus and PUV terminals will now be a new normal. This is the only way at this point to instill in the minds of the operators that they must comply with the regulations at all times,” Mendoza said.

“And this is also the way to send a message to passengers that they have the right to safe and comfortable transportation terminals, and that the LTFRB is always on their side on this aspect,” he added.

All LTFRB regional directors were ordered to submit compliance reports and to sustain its inspection efforts until all terminal operators have complied with the required facilities.

Last week, the agency issued a cease-and-desist order against a bus terminal in Iloilo for gross violations of rules and regulations on passenger safety.

“We will not hesitate to shut down the operation of any bus terminals whose operators remain defiant. We did it before, we can do it always if they will not comply,” Mendoza added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News