By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
As part of a proactive approach towards protecting the welfare of passengers, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reminded transport companies of existing regulations on terminals and other facilities used by commuters.
This reminder is in line with the ongoing preparations for the influx of millions of passengers for the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days on November 1 and 2.
In a media release on Tuesday, LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza II warned violators of legal consequences, “We already have an existing guideline, what needs to be done is to ensure that this is strictly implemented and observed by transport terminals at all times to ensure passenger safety and convenience. Any violation of this guideline will be treated as franchise violation.”
The LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2017-030 specified the minimum requirements for the maintenance of bus terminals and transport stations, among them is the sufficient roofing to protect passengers from the heat and the sun; ramps for persons with disabilities (PWDs); and, priority lanes for senior citizens, pregnant women, and PWDs.
The same Circular also pointed out the need to have sufficient security that includes security guards and CCTVs; and, clean and accessible restrooms for everybody, particularly for PWDs. The penalty for violation of the Circular is up to P5,000 per day and per violation.
Mendoza earlier conducted inspections in bus stations in Bacolod City and the Cebu North Terminal Monday, as part of his earlier directive on all LTFRB Regional Directors to step up inspections.
In the conduct of inspections, Chairman Mendoza reminded LTFRB officials to focus on the cleanliness of the comfort rooms and the convenience of passengers waiting for their turn to board the buses, “We will discuss with the terminal operator the cleanliness of portalets, air ventilation and how to remove toilets with pay.”
Similar inspections have also been conducted by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on bus terminals in Cubao on Sunday, as part of the preparations for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.
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