Bus firms seek government subsidy
June 9, 2002 | 12:00am
Public utility bus operators in Metro Manila are asking the government to provide subsidies to improve the quality of their fleet.
Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association president Claire dela Fuente made the appeal during the launching of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s Text Usok the other day where the PUBs were singled out as the main culprits of smoke belching along EDSA.
According to the Land Transportation Office, their limited anti-smoke belching operations has resulted in the apprehension of an average of 50 buses a day.
Although Dela Fuente admitted that many of the buses of IMBOA members are smoke belchers, she argued that the bus operators lack the financial capability to perform the necessary maintenance work.
She claimed that almost all of the bus operators are either losing money or struggling to break even because of the continuous fuel price hikes and stiff competition.
Specifically, Dela Fuente cited the operation of the MRT-3 and the proliferation of the FX taxis as the significant factors in the decline in the number of riders of PUBs.
"We all know that the MRT is getting support from the government," Dela Fuente pointed out.
It was revealed that several years back when the government needed to address the shortage of public transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board became lax in the issuance of franchises and as a result the number of bus companies increased significantly.
Dela Fuente pointed out that ever since the MRT became operational, the government has stopped giving the bus operators any more support.
She explained that Metro Manila bus owners need financial support from the government which does not necessarily have to come from its coffers.
"There are plenty of resources available out there. What we want is for the government to help make these funds available for us," Dela Fuente said.
One particular fund mentioned was the $25 million facility provided by the Asian Development Bank for the purpose of air quality improvement.
Charles Melhuish, the ADB expert on air quality, explained that the loan facility has been available for some time through the Landbank of the Philippines but no one has been able to tap it yet. – Marvin Sy
Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association president Claire dela Fuente made the appeal during the launching of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s Text Usok the other day where the PUBs were singled out as the main culprits of smoke belching along EDSA.
According to the Land Transportation Office, their limited anti-smoke belching operations has resulted in the apprehension of an average of 50 buses a day.
Although Dela Fuente admitted that many of the buses of IMBOA members are smoke belchers, she argued that the bus operators lack the financial capability to perform the necessary maintenance work.
She claimed that almost all of the bus operators are either losing money or struggling to break even because of the continuous fuel price hikes and stiff competition.
Specifically, Dela Fuente cited the operation of the MRT-3 and the proliferation of the FX taxis as the significant factors in the decline in the number of riders of PUBs.
"We all know that the MRT is getting support from the government," Dela Fuente pointed out.
It was revealed that several years back when the government needed to address the shortage of public transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board became lax in the issuance of franchises and as a result the number of bus companies increased significantly.
Dela Fuente pointed out that ever since the MRT became operational, the government has stopped giving the bus operators any more support.
She explained that Metro Manila bus owners need financial support from the government which does not necessarily have to come from its coffers.
"There are plenty of resources available out there. What we want is for the government to help make these funds available for us," Dela Fuente said.
One particular fund mentioned was the $25 million facility provided by the Asian Development Bank for the purpose of air quality improvement.
Charles Melhuish, the ADB expert on air quality, explained that the loan facility has been available for some time through the Landbank of the Philippines but no one has been able to tap it yet. – Marvin Sy
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