BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA
CEBU CITY, April 15 (PIA)---Transport officials conducted surprise inspections in two major bus terminals in Cebu to ensure safe travel for passengers this Holy Week.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional director Ahmed Cuizon said, his office conducted he surprise inspection along with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel headed by its regional director Arnel Tancinco.
Ahmed said the activity formed part of the nationwide Oplan Ligtas Byahe-Semana Santa which is a safety program, of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for the Holy Week.
The Lenten season is identified as one of the peak season for passengers who travel to provinces for religious and vacation purposes.
The operatives inspected the Cebu South Bus Terminal in the City and the North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City.
Cuizon said they inspected more than 60 public utility buses in both terminals.
During the inspection, Cuizon said, various minor violations such as failure of drivers to carry franchise documents, wrong vehicle markings or signages and defective vehicle accessories were noted.
“As these violations were considered minor, the buses were released for public travel, with their respective drivers or operators ordered to settle the deficiencies later,” Cuizon said.
Only one bus, from Pinamungahan, was declared unfit for passenger travel and declared prohibited from plying its route.
Cuizon added that LTO and LTFRB commended the management of both terminals for their Holy Week preparations such as the provision of more seats for waiting passengers, the beefing up of terminal personnel and the installation of way-finding signs.
“At the Cebu North Bus Terminal, the construction of new comfort rooms was also noted,” he said.
On the other hand, Cuizon revealed that LTFRB has already issued 100 special permits to buses and 60 more for public utility jeepneys and GT Express vehicles that will travel outside of their regular route to accommodate more passengers in areas traditionally identified as having a high demand for transport services.
These include Toledo City and the towns of Pinamungajan and Tuburan in the western part of the province.
Last Christmas and All Saints' Day seasons, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide, Jr. asked LTFRB to provide more buses in these areas due to high passenger demand.
Tancinco for his part revealed that LTO personnel in the different districts in the province are strictly monitoring buses for overloading.
In the coming days, both LTFRB and LTO will set up Help Desks in both terminals for purposes of passenger assistance, bus monitoring and special permit issuance.
Assisted by Cebu City Traffic Operations and Management, both agencies will also monitor the terminals, malls and the port area for possible violations by public utility vehicles including taxicabs that engage in illegal practices such as refusing to convey passengers, contracting or charging fares beyond regulated rates. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)