Lawyers push clear carpooling policy rules

The Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) on Saturday said that while the government is encouraging the public to engage in carpooling amid the oil price crisis brought by the war in the Middle East, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been announcing that it has yet to come up with a policy on the “bayanihan” effort.

“Carpooling is a form of bayanihan on the road. It is about helping one another. If guidelines are to be issued, they should help more people rather than impose more violations on those who carpool,” LCSP chairperson and founder Atty. Ariel Inton told the DAILY TRIBUNE

Inton explained that carpooling is just one of the possible measures that the public and government should adopt to lessen the burden of continuing price increases in the country.

“Carpooling has long been proposed by the LCSP. If the policy is right, it will help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and provide a riding option for commuters. Carpooling is bayanihan,” he said.

According to Inton, the MMDA’s plan to introduce policies or guidelines may confuse not only motorists but also the agency’s traffic enforcers.

“The MMDA says carpooling is allowed as long as it is not colorum and does not affect public transport. We agree. But they also plan to issue guidelines for carpooling? Wait. What policy exactly will they issue?” Inton asked.

For example, Inton said that if a car owner gives rides to office mates and they agree to share fuel costs, will that be allowed under the MMDA policy?

He explained that under the said case, the car owner saves on fuel, and the passengers save time, enjoy comfort, and spend less.

“What if someone offers free rides when passing through areas with many passengers, using a private vehicle? Would that person still need a special permit?” he added.

The LCSP argued that carpoolers need to be assured that traffic enforcers understand the policy, lest they simply look for violations to impound vehicles.

“What if a car owner engages in carpooling without securing a special permit? Will that be prohibited and considered colorum?” Inton asked.