THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Northern Mindanao inspected public utility vehicles (PUV) at the bus terminals in Cagayan de Oro City.
The inspection of PUVs, particularly buses, is a preventive measure that could save lives, said LTFRB-Northern Mindanao regional director Aminoden Guro on Wednesday.
At the integrated bus terminal in Agora, Barangay Lapasan, LTFRB-Northern Mindanao personnel checked if the buses plying the Bukidnon, Davao and Caraga routes have complied with all the safety measures set by the government.
Guro said the three major bus companies, Pabama Tours, Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. and Super 5, have followed the safety protocols.
LTFRB has also made mandatory that all drivers only drive for six hours a day so they would be at their best when on the road.
“We have to see to it that both PUVs and drivers are in good shape to avoid any road accidents. Violators of road regulations will be penalized,” Guro said.
At the Agora integrated bus terminal, most of the buses are brand new and in mint condition.
The new and high-end Pabama Tours buses which the company had rolled out last month are noticeable.
The 10 buses, plying the Cagayan de Oro-Bukidnon route, were bought by Pabama for P9 million each from the Chinese manufacturer Zhong Tong.
The new units have unique features such as mini-trays, cup holders, captain chairs and built-in tablets where passengers can listen to music, play games, watch movies or surf the internet. The tablets have a USB port so passengers can charge their smartphones.
The bus also has a closed-circuit TV camera and a mini-bar selling snack items at the back.
Ryan Potenciano, Pabama Tours operations manager, said the company has convenience and comfort in mind when they decided to purchases the buses.
“Our aim is to make our passengers comfortable and to give them the best bus ride experience,” Potenciano said.
Allan Mainit, 45, a resident of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, said he was impressed by Pabama’s new buses.
Mainit said he has boarded the bus twice and he was satisfied.
“Going to Cagayan de Oro from Malaybalay was such a smooth ride that you hardly noticed that you have arrived. The P130 fare is really worth it,” Mainit said.
Even his five-year-old son Luke has enjoyed the games on the tablet.
“He was so engrossed with the game he was playing that he didn’t want to alight,” he added.
Guro said upgrading of bus units, like what Pabama did, is good for the riding public since the transport companies will be competing to give passengers the best services.