The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Nov. 14 that collection of fees to access sanitary facilities in public utility vehicle terminals is prohibited.
Terminal operators must designate priority/express lanes and install diaper-changing tables inside the restrooms within the bus terminal, LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said in a statement, adding that those allowing colorum vehicles to use their facilities shall be penalized.
Guadiz also told terminal operators to include provision for walk-through metal detectors and/or handheld metal detectors. “The terminal requirements must be strictly followed in order to provide our passengers with reliable, safe, accessible, environment-friendly, dependable, efficient, and comfortable public transportation throughout the country.”
“We strongly warn all terminal operators to comply with these requirements to avoid penalties,” he added. He made the call following an inspection in select terminals in Metro Manila where numerous violations in the facilities and equipment of the terminals and bus units were found, such as fees collected for the use of comfort rooms, no fire extinguishers in the bus units, and worn-out tires.
Guadiz told terminal operators to strictly implement various terminal and PUV requirements, among them global navigation satellite system (GNSS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) with continuous recording of the past 72 hours of operation, valid fire extinguisher (unit and terminal), free access and use of sanitary facilities on all terminals, stations, and stop over, standard for sanitary facilities for Land Transportation Facilities, and submission of OTS approved security plan.
The LTFRB chief explained that all these requirements were stated in various Department of Transportation (DOTr) orders and policies.
“Any PUB and terminal operator that fail to comply with these requirements shall be subject to the penalties provided by the circulars covering these requirements, or under Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, or as may be determined by the Board,” a memorandum released by the LTFRB dated Nov. 8, states. ||
