Biyahe Bantay Mode: LTFRB Goes Hard on Holy Week Safety Checks

Travel season is kicking in, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is already moving before the Holy Week rush gets messy. The agency said it has started intensified inspections of buses and public utility vehicles nationwide as more Filipinos prepare to head out of town.

LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II ordered regional directors to carry out a nationwide roadworthiness inspection protocol. He said the agency is also working with local government units and law enforcement teams because road safety will need more than just terminal-level checks.

According to Mendoza, the expected exodus means more vehicles, more passengers, and more pressure on transport operators. The focus is not only on whether buses and PUVs are fit to run, but also on whether drivers are physically and mentally ready for long and demanding trips.

The crackdown also covers passenger terminals, where the LTFRB said comfort and safety should not be ignored. The report said inspections had already been intensified after complaints about run-down facilities, and that hundreds of terminal owners and operators have received show-cause orders or notices of violation, while some sites were temporarily shut down over serious breaches.

Bottom line: the government wants fewer excuses and safer travel conditions before millions hit the road for Holy Week. If the inspections are enforced properly, commuters should at least get a better shot at a safer, less sabog holiday trip.

Source: The Manila Times