Bonds for bus companies proposed

MANILA, Philippines - Bus companies should post hefty safety performance bonds with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that would be forfeited once its vehicle is involved in a road accident.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino made the proposal in the wake of last Monday’s accident that claimed the lives of 18 people and left 16 others injured.

Tolentino said the bond should be posted for each bus and will be forfeited once the bus is involved in an accident.

“The bond should at least be P3 million or double the acquisition cost of the bus. If the driver knows that this would be forfeited should the bus be involved in an accident, he would really be careful in driving,” he said.

Tolentino also supported the proposal of the LTFRB to install speed limiters and recorders to limit the speed of passenger buses and record the events prior to an accident.

Lawmakers are also proposing to implement a fixed salary for bus drivers to discourage them from competing for fares.

Representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna and Fernando Hicap of Anakpawis filed House Bill 3611 seeking a fixed salary for public utility bus drivers.

They said the commission and boundary system of compensation in the bus industry is largely the culprit for accidents.– With Jess Diaz