The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday vowed to continue its nationwide crackdown on bus and public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals with substandard facilities.
As of February 16, the LTFRB had inspected 243 bus and PUV terminals nationwide to compel compliance with government standards for commuter comfort and safety.
Of the total, 116 terminals were issued show cause orders and notices to comply due to various violations, LTFRB chief Vigor Mendoza II said.
“We will not hesitate to shut down the operations of these terminal managers, some of them are connected with transportation companies,” he said.
“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.”
“But some of them have already reached the point of shamelessness. It seems as if the operation is still beholden to passengers because there are even terminals that charge passengers a fee for using the comfort room,” he added.
He said the agency intends to end what he described as the “misplaced mentality” of some terminal managers and operators who take passengers for granted.
Based on LTFRB data, Metro Manila had the highest number of inspected terminals at 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 said.
