Bus Terminals Get Inspected for 'Undas'

Provincial bus terminals were inspected in time for the expected influx of passengers for the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day holidays.

Personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), particularly from its Health and Environmental Protection Office (HEPO), and Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), checked the bus terminals of Five Star, Victory Liner, Jam, Jac Liner, etc.

Authorities also checked if the bus terminals adhere to the implementation of Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01 or the 'Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violations of Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing Land Transportation' of the Department of Transportation.

Some PUV-related violations include the refusal to render service to the public and convey passenger to destination; failure to display 'No Smoking' signage and/or allowing personnel or passenger to smoke inside the vehicle; overcharging/undercharging of fare; employing reckless, insolent, discourteous or arrogant drivers; operating the unit/s with defective parts; and others.

Under the JAO 2014-01, first-offense violators will face a fine of PHP5,000, second offense is subject to a fine of PHP10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days.

Third and subsequent violations will result in a fine of PHP15,000 and cancellation of certificate of public convenience.

On the other hand, authorities also checked if terminals comply with Executive Order (EO) No. 26 or the Nationwide Smoking Ban.

MMDA Chair Danilo Lim reminded the public that smoking inside the bus terminals is strictly prohibited.

"As part of the agency’s efforts in promoting a smoke-free environment, our environmental enforcers have posted 'No Smoking' signages earlier within the vicinity of bus terminals in Cubao. This would serve as a reminder that EO 26 also prohibits smoking on public utility vehicles (PUVs)," Lim stressed.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB issued special permits to provincial buses for specific routes.

• Victory Liner--Caloocan to Apalit, Caloocan to San Fernando, and Caloocan to Olongapo
• Baliwag Transit--to Hagonoy and to Baliwag, Bulacan
• First North Luzon--to Hagonoy and Macabebe
• German Espiritu--to Bulakan, Bulacan
• ES Transport--to San Miguel, Bulacan and Sapang Palay