Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II on Sunday said he had ordered all regional directors to begin preparing and implementing contingency measures to manage passenger volume during the Holiday travel period to and from urban areas and provinces.

Mendoza said they expect more travelers in the next few days as schools start their Christmas break and more people from the provinces intend to go to Metro Manila and other urban areas.

“We expect more people to travel starting December due to Holiday mood. This early, we should start all the necessary preparations to ensure that all the passengers will experience fast and comfortable travel to and from their destinations,” Mendoza said.

As part of the measures, he said all regional directors were instructed to conduct regular checks on bus terminals and public transportation hubs in their areas of responsibility. The checks aim to ensure the road worthiness of public utility vehicles and the physical and mental readiness of drivers.

He also reminded all bus companies and operators of bus terminals and public transportation stations to comply with existing guidelines on the appearance, maintenance, and basic facilities of bus terminals and transportation hubs.

“All these guidelines are meant to ensure passenger comfort and safety. Huwag ninyo namang tratuhin ang inyong pasahero na parang utang na loob pa nila na sumakay sa mga bus at sasakyan ninyo. Maling mali po ang ganung pananaw,” Mendoza said.

(“Do not treat your passengers as though they owe you a favor for riding your buses and vehicles. That kind of thinking is completely wrong.”)

“As your clients and lifeline, your passengers should be treated well, and it starts with good facilities and services. Otherwise, you will suffer the consequences because we in the LTFRB have the obligation to protect their interest,” he added.

He also asked passengers to report bus terminals and public transportation stations with poor facilities and services through the LTFRB Hotline 0956-761-0739 and the agency’s social media accounts.