The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) warned bus companies against charging passengers for the use of their comfort rooms in their terminals, saying sanitary facilities must be free of charge based on existing regulations.  

LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III issued the warning after surprise inspections in Metro Manila bus terminals revealed that some bus terminals are charging passengers of at least P5 for the use of comfort rooms.

“Collection of fees to access sanitary facilities is prohibited. Access and use of sanitary facilities on all terminals, stations must be free in all land transportation facilities,” said Guadiz.

Charging passengers for comfort room use in bus terminals has long been a practice to the point that it was already considered as normal amid failure on the part of the government to strictly implement it. 

Aside from free access to comfort rooms, Guadiz said bus companies must also designate priority/express lanes and install diaper-changing tables inside the restrooms within the bus terminal.

He said other requirements for public utility vehicle terminals include global navigation satellite system (GNSS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) with continuous recording of the past 72 hours of operation, valid fire extinguisher for each unit and each bus terminal.   

Guadiz further 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 a reliable, safe, accessible, environment-friendly, dependable, efficient, and comfortable public transportation throughout the country,” said Guadiz.

“We strongly warn all terminal operators to comply with these requirements to avoid penalties,” he added. 

He said terminal operators allowing colorum vehicles to use their facilities shall be penalized.