Muntinlupa city: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has summoned a bus company following allegations that passengers were forced to endure a three-hour delay before their bus departed from the VTX terminal in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

According to Philippines News Agency, LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II labeled the actions of the bus driver and conductor of A and B Liner Inc. as unacceptable, referencing a viral social media post by Tino Olivarez. The post detailed the frustrating experience of passengers, who boarded a bus bound for Lucena City at around 10 p.m. and were repeatedly misled about the departure time by the bus staff.

Olivarez and other passengers were initially told by the conductor that the bus would leave soon after they boarded. However, it wasn't until 12:30 a.m. that tickets were distributed, with assurances that departure was imminent. When some passengers requested refunds due to the extended wait, the conductor allegedly refused.

The incident prompted Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez to instruct Mendoza to investigate. Subsequently, a show cause order (SCO) was issued to A and B Liner Inc., requiring them to explain within 10 days why their franchise should not face suspension or cancellation due to their failure to provide adequate service. The company has been summoned to a hearing at the LTFRB Central Office in Quezon City on March 19, 2026.

Mendoza emphasized that the LTFRB stands with commuters in cases of misconduct and urged the public to report any violations by public utility vehicle operators and drivers. This incident comes amidst the Land Transportation Office's intensified inspections of bus and PUV terminals nationwide, aimed at ensuring passenger comfort and compliance with regulations. So far, over 120 operators have received SCOs or notices of violations across the country.