Department of Transportation acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Monday revoked the franchise of the Elavil Bus Company after its management was caught operating from an illegal terminal in Pasay City, violating a prior cease and desist order.
The move followed a morning inspection by Lopez of several transport hubs in the capital region, part of the DOTr’s safety preparedness campaign ahead of the All Saints’ Day holiday on Nov. 1. The period is marked by heavy public travel to the provinces.
Lopez said the company was using a vacant lot in Pasay without a permit and lacked adequate passenger facilities. The bus company had previously been issued a cease and desist order by former DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon.
“When a terminal is illegal, the government has no way to check the roadworthiness of the vehicles at that terminal. We can therefore equate the vehicles at an illegal terminal with being ‘colorum’ (unregistered or unauthorized),” Lopez said in a statement.
Lopez immediately ordered the cancellation of the Elavil franchise and the impounding of three buses found at the illegal site.
He also directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to issue a show cause order against the bus operator. Passengers found at the illegal terminal were instructed to get ticket refunds and were redirected to authorized terminals.
The DOTr’s inspection was conducted under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure passenger security and safety.
In addition to the Elavil terminal, Lopez inspected other major transport areas, noting several compliance issues.
The DOTr said that at JVH Transport and JRV Pamar Line Inc., he noted a lack of all-gender restrooms.
It said that at Baclaran Metrolink Bus Corp., he observed a shortage of electric fans and rest areas for drivers, the absence of a posted fare matrix, and ordered the improvement of the company’s lactation room for nursing mothers.
At the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), Lopez pointed out weak air conditioning, which the management promised to address.
Lopez said fare costs should correspond to the quality of facilities provided.
The DOTr will form a steering committee to conduct regular bus terminal inspections. It also plans to deploy additional personnel from agencies including the Land Transportation Office (LTO), LTFRB, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure safety during the Undas travel season.
The LTFRB was also instructed to issue special permits to bus companies to ensure continuous, non-disrupted service for passengers traveling during the holiday.
