LTFRB, LTO to Inspect Buses’ Roadworthiness for Holy Week

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be checking the roadworthiness of buses at their garages in line with the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2018.

The program, which will run from March 22 to April 5, directs DOTr's attached agencies to implement initiatives and contingency measures to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers traveling to the provinces for the Holy Week break.

Both the LTFRB and LTO decided to conduct the inspection of buses at garages rather than the terminals so that it cannot cause inconvenience to passengers.

"Inspection of buses with LTO will be conducted at the garage or staging area and no longer in the terminals because it will really be inconvenient to passengers if a bus in a terminal will not be allowed to leave (on schedule)," LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said in a press briefing held for the launching of the initiative on Thursday.

The Board will also set up help desks in bus terminals to provide assistance to passengers.

The LTFRB has approved special permits for 990 bus units out of 1,220 applications nationwide to travel from March 25 to April 2.

The LTFRB will also continue to implement operations against illegal or 'colorum' public utility vehicles.

For its part, the LTO will deploy its personnel along major roads to assist motorists as well as respond to their complaints.

Its enforcers will manage traffic along roads leading to and from places of worships and pilgrimage areas. They will also supervise and assist toll-road personnel in traffic management at busy thoroughfares.

LTO is also set to meet with bus company owners, drivers and conductors on Monday, March 26, to discuss road safety measures to be implemented at terminals and on the road.