LTFRB to 116 transport terminal operators: Explain, fix your run-down facilities

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has cited 116 operators of transport terminals all over the country and ordered them to explain and fix their run-down amenities.

In a statement, the agency said it has inspected 243 bus and public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals to check their compliance with the requirements for safe, comfortable facilities.

Of the 243 bus and PUV terminals inspected, 116 were given show cause orders (SCOs) and notices to comply due to numerous violations.

“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,” LTFRB chair Vigor Mendoza II said.

“But some of them already reached the point of shamelessness na parang lumalabas na utang na loob pa ng mga pasahero ang operation dahil may mga terminal pa nga na sinisingil ng bayad ang mga pasahero sa paggamit ng CR,” he added.

(But some of them already reached the point of shamelessness and it’s as if the passengers owe them something. There are terminals that even charge fees in exchange for letting passengers use the comfort room.)

Some of the transport terminal operators’ violations are:

• Insufficient facilities to secure waiting passengers from weather condition
• Comfort rooms that are not working
• Tight spaces that compromise the comfort and safety of passengers
• Lack of security measures, and
• Comfortable access for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Mendoza said the issuance of summons to the 116 bus and PUV terminals are part of their nationwide crackdown on transport terminals with poor, run-down facilities and to compel these terminals to provide comfortable services to passengers.

He said the LTFRB will continue monitoring the compliance of its regional offices tasked to conduct the random and surprise inspections of terminals.

Based on 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,” Mendoza added.

Last week, the LTFRB – National Capital Region (NCR) office issued 23 additional SCOs to operators of PUVs and transport terminals in Metro Manila for failing to comply with requirements on adequate terminals and roadworthy, safe vehicles.

Before this, the agency issued SCOs and notices to comply to 29 transport terminal operators in different parts of the country over poor, inadequate facilities for passengers. — JMA, GMA Integrated News