(LTFRB)
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has summoned the operators of public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals located within the premises of two popular malls in Quezon City amid the continuing campaign against transport stations with run-down facilities.
This, after inspectors found that the PUV terminals located within the Ayala Malls Cloverleaf and the Trinoma were lacking the necessary facilities for the passengers, particularly on safety and comfort matters, according to LTFRB chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II.
Our message is clear: it is either you step up and fix what needs to be fixed to ensure compliance, or face the consequences for taking for granted the passengers whom you are supposed to serve well,” said Mendoza.
“This is a nationwide operation and this is a new normal in terms of fighting for the welfare and rights of our commuters,” he added.
Based on the inspection report, the PUV terminal in the Ayala Mall Cloverleaf was found to have insufficient roofing to protect passengers, inadequate benches for waiting passengers, no clear guideline on trips and dispatching, and no information and passenger assistance counters.
LTFRB inspectors also noted that the terminal has no necessary permits from the local government units and even safety and security plans in cases of emergency.
On the other hand, among the violations of the PUV terminal in Trinoma include absence of information and passenger assistance counters, lack of comfortable seats for waiting passengers, and priority lanes for senior citizens and persons with disability.
Both the terminal managers were tasked to explain in writing why the facilities should not be shut down for the violations. They were also mandated to appear in a hearing on March 18.