LTFRB to limit lifespan of school service vehicles

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to issue a new regulation limiting the lifespan of vehicles being used to transport students, an official said yesterday.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said the aim of the intended policy is to ensure the safety of students boarding the school service vehicles.

Yesterday, Ginez consulted school service operators, parents and school officials to get their inputs on the matter. He said this was part of the government’s program to modernize public utility vehicles (PUVs).

“The board is now carefully reviewing the possible lifespan that can be imposed on school buses. Compared with taxis, buses and jeeps, they’re less prone to wear and tear so we are considering that issue in coming up with the guidelines on this,” Ginez said.

Ginez said the government, in 2004, issued a memorandum circular limiting the lifespan of school service vehicles to 15 years. This was lifted in 2007, with the government only requiring the operators to secure a certificate of roadworthiness.

“We will put a cap again on the age (of the vehicles being used to transport students),” Ginez said.

At present, public utility buses (PUBs) have a lifespan of 15 years while taxis have 13 years with an option to have two more years if they convert to liquefied petroleum gas to power them.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has instructed the LTFRB and the LTO to implement policies that will require all PUBs and PUVs as well as garage-to-terminal (GT) express vehicle operators to maintain their fleet in good working condition to ensure the safety and convenience of the riding public.

As part of its regulatory powers, LTFRB requires all operators of school service vehicles – whether they are buses, mini-buses, vans, or jeepneys – to comply with the required specifications and safety standards as prescribed by the board before they are given permits to operate.