School bus operators told to meet safety requirements

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has warned school buses operators to meet all safety requirements, including seatbelts and other safety devices, or face sanctions.

"Seatbelts have been required since the start of the year," LTFRB Chairwoman Elena Bautista said.

During the opening of public schools last June 6, Bautista announced the cancellation of 3,117 school bus service franchises, mostly from the National Capital Region (NCR), due to violations of LTFRB policies.

Bautista said safety devices, including seatbelts, are required for school transport, citing Memorandum Circular 2004-042.

Other safety requirements are that the school buses must have entry and exit doors either at the rear or right side of the vehicle only. No entry and exit at the left side of the vehicle must be installed.

For vans, jump seats must be removed to allow easy access to entry and exit doors from the last row of seats and arm rest on the right side of the first and second rows.

There must be steel grilled windows at all sides, one-inch mesh size.

A portable fire extinguisher must also be placed inside the school service vehicle.

With regard to markings on the vehicle, there must be a dark yellow rectangle on both sides, three meters by one meter in size. Inscribed in a single line, black color should be "School Service," size 40 centimeters, and name of the school, size 25 centimeters.

At the rear, there must be a dark yellow square, one meter in size, and inscribed in two lines should be "School Service — Caution: Children Crossing."

Alternate chevron markings, diagonal black and yellow at the front and rear of vehicle should be visible from 50 meter distance.

The school service must also have adequate ventilation, ordinary or air-conditioned. The vehicle must not be more than 15 years old from the date of manufacture.

A portable "Stop and Go" sign must also be carried by the conductor when children cross the street.

The memo also covers the types of motor vehicles and the maximum number of passengers allowed to board the vehicle.

Bautista’s made the announcement after Sen. Manuel Villar proposed that the government impose school bus safety standards, including installation of seatbelts and hiring of competent drivers.

Villar had earlier expressed concern over the dilapidated and rundown condition of several school buses.

In filing Senate Bill 662, the senator said "no school bus should be allowed to acquire, maintain and renew registration unless it is equipped with the necessary seatbelts. Owners of school buses not currently equipped with seatbelts shall be given a period of six months to install seat belts in their school buses.

"It came to my attention that just about anyone who has a jeepney, van or bus can operate as a transport service, shuttling students to and from their schools. Most of these vehicles are not equipped with safety devices. Thus, you can see school children hopping up and down inside the bus while it’s moving or sticking out their hands or even their heads. It is really a risky and dangerous scenario," Villar said in a statement.

He called for stricter criteria that school bus operators and drivers should adhere to in order to ensure the safety of passengers.

School buses should be child-friendly and drivers of such should also have special qualifications, Villar pointed out.

"Accidents can happen on the road so we should ensure that our children are safe and properly protected. Seatbelts should be a must as well as iron bars on the windows. Schools should properly accredit school buses and I urge parents to be more selective of the buses that they will hire for their children," he said.