Buses ordered to install GPS trackers

www.gps.gov The overall objective of the GPS project is to promote road safety

The Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld a memorandum by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordering all public utility buses (PUB) in the country to install Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to ensure road safety.

In a five-page resolution dated June 21 and released to media yesterday, the CA Special 12th Division denied the motion for reconsideration filed by a group of bus operators assailing the LTFRB order.

The decision was penned by Associate Justice Rafael Antonio Santos and concurred in by Associate Justices Ramon Bato Jr. and Apolinario Bruselas Jr.

The CA found no merit in the arguments filed by the transport groups which sought to set aside its Feb. 27 ruling.

That decision affirmed a ruling of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) declaring as constitutional LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular 2015-021 and 2015-026 issued on June 26, 2015 and November 16, 2015, respectively.

The CA held that contrary to the claim that the project was arbitrary, the GPS project was actually based on a “well-thought out and carefully deliberated plan” by the LTFRB.

The LTFRB said the overall objective of the GPS project is to promote road safety and improve land transportation services.

It aims to lessen road accidents by monitoring the speed of PUB through a GPS device.

At the same time, the GPS project will allow bus operators to track the routes of their PUB, monitor the location and flow of buses and inform the passengers of the waiting time at the stations.

Under the circulars, operators are prohibited from allowing their buses to ply their routes if they know or have a reasonable belief that the GPS device is not functioning or defective.

Non-installation of the GPS device will be penalized P5,000 per unit and an additional of P1,000 per unit per month after a grace period of 30 days is granted counting from the end of the compliance period will be imposed.

The tampering of the GPS device will also be penalized under the circulars with PHP5,000 for the first offense, PHP10,000 for the second offense and P15,000 and the suspension of their certificate of public convenience for 30 days for the third and subsequent offenses.