The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has directed 116 bus and public utility vehicle (PUV) terminal operators nationwide to explain and address deficiencies in their facilities following inspections that flagged numerous violations.
In a statement, the LTFRB said it inspected 243 bus and PUV terminals across the country to assess compliance with standards for safe and comfortable passenger amenities. Of those inspected, 116 were issued show cause orders and notices to comply.
LTFRB chair Vigor Mendoza II warned that terminal operators risk closure if they fail to meet their obligations.
“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,” Mendoza 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.)
Among the violations cited were inadequate shelter for waiting passengers, malfunctioning comfort rooms, cramped spaces that compromise safety, insufficient security measures and lack of accessible facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Mendoza said the summons issued to the 116 terminals form part of a nationwide campaign to improve passenger experience and enforce regulatory standards.
He added that regional LTFRB offices have been instructed to continue conducting random and surprise inspections to ensure sustained compliance.
Based on agency data, Metro Manila recorded 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.
Last week, the LTFRB’s National Capital Region office issued 23 additional show cause orders against PUV and terminal operators in Metro Manila for failing to meet requirements related to adequate terminal facilities and roadworthy vehicles.
Earlier, the agency had also served notices to 29 transport terminal operators in other parts of the country over poor and insufficient passenger amenities.