Regional directors of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board have been ordered to start preparing and implementing all contingency measures to ensure passenger comfort during the holiday exodus to and from urban areas and provinces.
The LTFRB said it expects more travelers in the next few days as schools start their Christmas break, and more people from the provinces intend to go to Metro Manila and urban areas to experience the Christmas season in the cities.
“We expect more people to travel starting December due to holiday mood,” LTFRB chairman, Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, said in a statement Nov. 30. “This early, we should start all the necessary preparations to ensure that all the passengers will experience fast and comfortable travel to and from their destinations.”
As part of the measures, all LTFRB directors have been instructed to conduct regular checks on bus terminals and public transportation hubs in their areas of responsibility.
This is to ensure road worthiness of public utility vehicles, and the physical and mental readiness of drivers at all times, Mendoza said, adding that bus companies and operators of terminals and public transportation stations should shape up or suffer the consequences.
He said there are existing guidelines on the appearance, maintenance, and basic facilities of bus terminals and public transportation hubs. “All these guidelines are meant to ensure passenger comfort and safety.”
“Huwag ninyo namang tratuhin ang inyong pasahero na parang utang na loob pa nila na sumakay sa mga bus at sasakyan ninyo,” he told bus operators and companies. “As your clients and lifeline, your passengers should be treated well, and it starts with good facilities and services. Otherwise, you will suffer the consequences because we, in the LTFRB, have the obligation to protect their interest.”
Mendoza urged passengers to immediately report bus terminals and public transportation stations with poor facilities and services, for immediate action, through the LTFRB hotline 0956-761-0739, and social media accounts. ||
