The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has stepped up inspections of bus terminals and areas where taxis operate ahead of Undas, targeting overcharging and unauthorized public transport services to ensure the safety of passengers traveling to the provinces.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said Monday in an interview on DZRH’s “Dos Por Dos” program that inspections began last week and would cover not only Metro Manila but also other parts of the country.

“Ang dami na rin naming nahuhuli kasi syempre yung mga pinagbabawal na tinataasan yung mga presyo; over charging nilang ginagawa,” Lacanilao said.

“Hinuhuli namin yan at hindi sa lahat yung mga colorum,” he added.

He said the agency was preparing for the expected influx of travelers heading to their home provinces in Region I, the Visayas and Mindanao for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Lacanilao said the LTO was also coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to verify special permits issued to buses and other vehicles authorized to operate during the holiday period.

The LTFRB provides the LTO with copies of permit documents so inspectors can verify their authenticity and determine whether vehicles are authorized to transport passengers.

Lacanilao said authorities could impound vehicles found using fake permits.

He also warned motorists against operating illegal public transport services under the guise of carpooling, stressing that sharing fuel expenses among friends or co-workers traveling to the same destination was different from charging passengers for individual trips.

“Yung maniningil ka na tapos ulo-ulo, babyahe ka, colorum na yun. Mabigat po ang penalty nyan,” Lacanilao said.

He said the penalties for operating unauthorized vans and sedans were ₱200,000 and ₱120,000, respectively.

Lacanilao acknowledged that some motorists might intend only to help others reach their destinations, but warned that charging fares without the required authorization could still result in hefty penalties.

He also cautioned that passengers using unauthorized vehicles could be at risk in the event of an accident.

Lacanilao said LTO personnel at checkpoints could identify illegal operations by determining whether vehicles were carrying paying passengers rather than people simply sharing travel expenses.

He reiterated that carpooling among friends or co-workers traveling to the same destination was generally not a problem, but picking up passengers for payment and dropping them off at different locations could constitute an unauthorized transport service.