2 PUV terminals in QC malls flagged for lack of passenger facilities
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has asked the operators and managers of two public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals found in separate malls in Quezon City to explain why they lack the necessary facilities to make commuting more convenient for their passengers.
In a statement on Thursday, the LTFRB said that it issued show cause orders to the operators and managers concerned after an inspection revealed that “the two PUV terminals were found to be noncompliant [with] existing rules and regulations.”
It directed the recipients of the show cause orders to attend the hearing set on Mar. 18 at the LTFRB office.
“For the PUV terminal at the Ayala Mall Cloverleaf, among the violations are insufficient roofing to protect passengers, inadequate benches for waiting passengers, no clear guideline on trips and dispatching, and no information and passenger assistance counters,” the LTFRB said.
It also noted that the terminal operator was earlier ordered to request from the local government unit the necessary permits allowing it to operate as a public transportation terminal as well as the security plan for the facility.
Listed violations
As for the other PUV terminal found within Trinoma Mall, among the violations observed by the LTFRB were the lack of the following: information and passenger assistance counters, comfortable seats for waiting passengers, and priority lanes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
It ordered the managers of the two PUV terminals to explain in writing why their facilities should not be shuttered.
LTFRB Chair Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, meanwhile, said that PUV terminals must comply with requirements so that they can serve their passengers well.
“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,” Mendoza added.
