A group of bus operators in Metro Manila is requesting that the Department of Transportation reconsider its proposal to reduce the consecutive driving hours of public utility vehicles from six to four hours.
Mega Manila Consortium president Juliet De Jesus stated that the policy is unsuitable for city bus operations, citing the smaller number of drivers and the shorter routes involved.
“Gaya ng bus carousel, from Monumento to PITX, pagdating ng PITX hindi naman agad nadi-dispatch pabalik ng Monumento, may mga queuing. May mga 30 minutes na pahinga ang mga driver… Sa probinsya, applicable ang sinasabi ni Sec. Vince,” she said.
During a press conference on Monday, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon initially proposed the idea in response to the deadly road accidents at the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the ramming incident at NAIA Terminal 1.
HM Transport President Homer Mercado, another bus operator, supports the proposed limit on driving hours, pointing out that buses traveling to Bicol already follow a similar policy.
In addition to restricting driving hours, the agency is also considering mandatory regular drug testing for PUV drivers.
De Jesus supported this proposal, noting that city bus operators are already implementing it.
“Okay po sa amin. Kakayanin kasi maraming polisya ng drug testing ang mga operator. Parang surprised ang ginagawa namin before dispatch,” she said.
Mercado supports regular mandatory drug testing for drivers, even if it will cost the bus companies more.
“Okay lang kung sa ikabubuti ng mga pasahero saka ng publiko. Konti lang ang gastos dyan,” he said.