Reckless drivers? Call 1342

Complaints about public transportation will no longer go unheeded, as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has set up new hotlines manned by a contact center round the clock.

On Monday, the LTFRB opened its 24/7 nationwide hotlines: 1342 for voice calls, and 0917-5501342 and 0998-5501342 for SMS. They replace the local hotlines which have been disconnected.

The third-party contact center service is provided by Dynamic Outsource Solutions Inc. under a P5-million one-year contract bid out recently by the LTFRB, according to agency chair Winston Ginez.

The contact center will not only field complaints but inquiries about LTFRB services and policies, Ginez said.

The hotlines may also be used for citizen reports.

“We are encouraging the public to be on citizen patrol in reporting erring public utility vehicle drivers violating traffic rules. Our citizens are assured someone will take their calls so immediate action can be taken,” Ginez said in a statement.

This early, Ginez expects the call center to be “flooded” with calls.

LTFRB board member Ariel Inton noted that on Monday alone, the contact center received 25 complaints.—Jaymee T. Gamil