The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered all its regional directors to intensify the operation against illegal and poorly-maintained terminals of public utility vehicles (PUVs).
LTFRB chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II illegal terminals are where colorum vehicles usually pick up passengers, and likewise a major source of corruption on the ground based on the reports.
He said illegal terminals are also mostly located in unsafe areas with substandard facilities and where commuters have no protection from weather conditions, no clean and proper comfort rooms, and no comfortable area for pregnant women, children, and senior citizens.
This, he said, goes against the LTFRB policy on how public transportation terminals must be set up as he emphasized that the safety and comfort of passengers must always be the top priority.
“For a long time, Filipino commuters are usually ignored. This must stop and right now, we are initiating aggressive reform programs that will focus on the safety and welfare of the Filipino commuters,” said Mendoza.
The declaration of an all-out war against illegal terminals came after LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II earlier announced that the agency is crafting a policy to prevent the renewal of franchise of unsafe and run-down public utility vehicles (PUVs).
Mendoza said the nationwide campaign against illegal terminals will not only focus on road-side and other makeshift structures but will also cover illegal terminals in malls and other business establishments,” said Mendoza.
He said the LTFRB will intensify the monitoring with the help of mystery passengers that the agency will deploy to locate all the illegal terminals especially in Metro Manila and other urban areas.
He added that coordination will also be made with other government agencies in locating illegal terminals and in the conduct of investigation.
“Our operation will not stop in removing all these illegal terminals, our operation will include investigation to hold accountable all those responsible in the maintenance and supervision of illegal terminals,” he said.
Mendoza then advised all PUVs to use the terminals duly accredited by LTFRB, “If they would support non-accredited terminals, then their franchise maybe suspended and eventually be revoked.”