The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) apprehended 226 taxis and passenger buses in Metro Manila and nearby areas during a two-month campaign against dilapidated and poorly maintained public utility vehicles.
The operations, conducted from June to July, formed part of the agency’s effort to improve the safety, cleanliness and comfort of public transportation.
LTFRB Law Enforcement Division head Sherwin Vizconde said 178 taxis were apprehended in Caloocan and Quezon City, where the agency had received complaints from passengers about the condition of some units.
Another 48 passenger buses were apprehended during inspections along NIA Road, Mindanao Avenue, Monumento and near Robinsons Antipolo.
The LTFRB issued show-cause orders requiring the operators to explain why their franchises should not be suspended, revoked or canceled.
LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza said operators were required to keep their vehicles clean, presentable and roadworthy as a condition of their authority to operate.
He warned that operators who repeatedly violated maintenance and cleanliness rules could lose their franchises.
The agency said surprise inspections of taxis, jeepneys, buses and transport network vehicle service units would continue as part of its campaign to raise public transport standards.
