Here are two transportation-related stories worth mentioning. First is the inauguration of the Philippine National Railways’ new trains totalling nine. The PNR says these will initially operate along the railway stretch from Caloocan to Sucat twice daily at 7 am and 5 pm. Second is the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s announcement that it is planning to retire 4,000 buses in Metro Manila.
I think these developments bode well for public transportation and traffic management at least in Metro Manila. The first shows that the modernization of the PNR’s railway system is moving. The PNR is reportedly expecting nine more trains.
I’m particularly interested in the LTFRB’s plan. Retiring 4,000 buses — hopefully the dilapidated and colorum ones — will definitely help ease the flow of traffic in Metro Manila especially along EDSA.
Unfortunately, there’s a negative side to this. Bus operators say this will leave thousands of people without jobs. Each bus has at least two personnel — the driver and fare collector. At 4,000 buses, that’s 8,000 people who will stand to lose their source of income. I’m sure the government will later say that projects to help those who will be affected are in the pipeline. I just hope whatever action the government takes will not be the usual short-term fix.
Just this morning, I heard a radio commentary about this LTFRB plan. The radio announcer pointed out that the LTFRB grants bus franchises to operators with at least 100 buses. He added that the LTFRB also requires bus operators to have garages for their buses.
The announcer said many bus operators do not have garages. He also pointed out that some operators do not even really own the required number of buses. They just rent out their franchises to other groups to complete the required number.
I am not aware if the LTFRB rules expressly state that renting out bus franchises is not allowed. If it is then the erring operators should be penalized accordingly. However, if it is not then the rules should be amended immediately.
Anyway, while listening to the commentary I couldn’t help but think that this franchise-for-rent scheme is ingenious. Whoever came up with the scheme sure know how to spot and take advantage of an opportunity. The way I see it, if the rules do not expressly say that that is not allowed then it is not the concerned company that should be faulted but the agency or the person who drafted the rules.
I think this should serve as an eyeopener to anyone who is involved in making rules, regulations and laws. To them I say: Accept the fact that people will exploit loopholes. Anticipate this and make sure the rules, regulations and laws that you craft are not too easy to circumvent. That is part of your job. If you cannot do that then you do not have any business handling such a task.
Kung bobo ka hanap ka na lang ibang trabaho.
I never thought I’d actually see the PNR modernized.
I remember our former boss at RTVM assigning me to do a video segment on public transport systems and then telling me that there was no such thing.
He was also the first one to tell me that we have no air force and no navy.
All statements seemed odd then and that was because I was partly ignorant of the country’s true state as far as transportation and defense were concerned.
Alex Ontong, may he rest in peace, really added immensely to whatever education I received in college. (Which is not much.)
With the PNR on its way to being modernized, I think we will soon experience some decongestion in Metro Manila. I just wish that the rails they used were the standard ones that enables trains to carry freight and not just people. That would rid our streets from the congestion caused by freight trucks.
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