THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has stepped up its campaign against rundown and unsanitary public utility vehicles (PUVs) by deploying undercover “mystery riders.”
LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said on Saturday that the latest operation led by the agency’s Law Enforcement Unit resulted in the apprehension of nine UV Express vans, most of which were operating along the Bulacan–Metro Manila corridor.
Mendoza said the “mystery rider” initiative directly responded to mounting passenger complaints, particularly from Bulacan commuters, citing substandard air-conditioning, faded vehicle markings and persistent unpleasant odors.
All nine apprehended units were found to have exhibited these exact deficiencies, the LTFRB said.
Mendoza made it clear that more apprehensions are on the horizon unless operators take immediate action to rehabilitate their fleets.
“Dilapidated, filthy and foul-smelling PUVs have no place in our public transport system. The days of ‘good enough’ are over. Operators must either shape up or ship out,” Mendoza said.
Show cause orders (SCOs) have already been served to the nine UV Express operators, requiring them to submit written explanations why their franchises should not be suspended or revoked, according to the LTFRB chief.
A cancellation of their Certificate of Public Convenience would permanently bar these operators from running their units, it added.
The top LTFRB official stressed that the intensified monitoring is not limited to UV Express, taxis, buses and traditional passenger jeepneys; even ride-hailing services are under scrutiny for similar infractions.
Several SCOs have already been issued across these sectors, according to Mendoza, who has been personally conducting spot inspections across Metro Manila.
Mendoza encouraged commuters to report any dilapidated or unsanitary PUVs, as well as abusive or errant drivers, through the LTFRB hotline at 1342, or via the agency’s official social media channels.
