LTFRB eyes GPS for buses

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will soon require the installation of global positioning system (GPS) devices in public utility buses, an official said yesterday.

LTFRB chair Winston Ginez said the system would enable the board to strictly impose the speed limits on buses.

“The GPS will be able to monitor the buses. The device should also have an onscreen display apparatus so even the passengers will be involved in the monitoring,” Ginez said in an interview.

The board invited GPS providers and suppliers to a consultative meeting on Monday to discuss the specifications of the GPS device to be required by the board.

In an advisory signed by board executive director Roberto Cabrera III, the board said the draft memorandum circular requiring the installation of GPS devices on buses would be discussed.

According to Ginez, the GPS devices being offered by these providers should be reprogrammed to fit the “language” to be used in the GPS requirement to be issued by the board.

Ginez said the language protocol in the system was provided to the board by the Department of Science and Technology.

“Once these providers are accredited, they will be qualified to supple the devices,” he said.