LTFRB, other agencies gearing up for Christmas rush

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), transportation terminal administrators and transportation firms are setting up measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers during the Christmas season rush.

Lawyer Aileen Lizada, LTFRB member and spokesperson, said that the board has been preparing to assist and protect the riding public through the inspection of terminals, units and the granting of special permits for additional bus units.

According to Lizada, on Monday, December 18, the board will start inspecting bus terminals in Metro Manila and will put up help desks.

“Our inspectors will be going around checking the terminals, and putting up the help desks, as well as the tarpaulins with hotline numbers,” Lizada said.

The LTFRB, along with members of Land Transportation Office, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Philippine National Police- Highway Patrol Group will also be conducting a series of inspections in bus terminals in Metro Manila this week.

During the inspection, authorities will conduct unit and document inspection to make sure buses are safe and roadworthy and that terminal facilities are up to par.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB already received 482 applications since November for special permits covering 1,143 units.

Among the applications, the board received 286 applications from public utility buses bound for North Luzon, 93 for Southern Luzon, 61 for Bicol, 34 for Visayas, and 8 for Mindanao.

Lizada said that special permit applications this year is higher than the 477 applications received in last 2016.

Upon approval, the special permits will bevalid from December 23 to January 3, 2018 to adequateltly address the expected heavy passenger volume.