The game of tag

As I write this piece, it’s likely that dozens of buses have been apprehended for violating the “bus tagging scheme” that the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started to implement on this, the day of our deadline (August 22, 2011). This time around, I’m on the side of the angels. Well, the traffic enforcers of the MMDA might be the farthest things from cherubs but I certainly believe that they are the undisputed good guys in this particular point of contention.

For the benefit of the uninformed, the MMDA’s “bus tagging scheme” is the traffic governing body’s method of curbing the abusive practices of many Public Utility Vehicles (in this particular case, buses). The “scheme” (I so hate that word…) is intended to track down colorum and out-of-line PUVs and improve the traffic monitoring and surveillance of the Agency. It is also expected to facilitate easy tracking and identification of traffic violators because the license plates of the PUVs will be painted prominently on the roofs, making it easy for the MMDA’s CCTV cameras to capture images and identify them. Basically, all public utility vehicles – starting, of course, with buses – will be required to paint their plate numbers on their roof, front, back and sides.

I know the bus companies might be howling in protest given the necessary added cost for complying with this new regulation, but this is something they’ve brought upon themselves by being nonchalant about policing their own ranks. Buses without franchises, buses whose plate numbers are exchanged in order to avoid the number coding scheme (there’s that word again), buses that have no respect for traffic laws and safety precautions – they all abound and are thus time and again blamed for the chaotic traffic situation in and around Metro Manila.

It’s about time, I say. While the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board) might have given the common motorist some teeth by providing a hotline cellphone number which we all can send our complaints to, there hasn’t really been much improvement from the Public Utility Drivers’ side. Perhaps this is so because they can still actually get away with being the uncouth road users that they are if we don’t bother to exercise our right to complain.

With the new “bus tagging scheme”, however, the MMDA has made easy targets out of erring PUVs. And the Agency’s leadership seems very serious about implementation. “On the first week, we will only give warning to the city bus drivers and conductors but after that, we will be very strict with the enforcement of this resolution. Any city bus caught violating the scheme shall be meted appropriate sanctions,” says MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino. The sanctions are, of course, monetary and regulatory in nature – a P500 fine for first time violators and the cancellation or suspension of the franchise for repeat offenders.

I say “bravo”. It’s about time our authorities cracked down on the real source of all our traffic woes. Instead of trying to minimize vehicle usage from the mostly law-abiding private sector road users, it is so much more effective to crack the whip on some pretty obvious violators. I am not alone in this observation. Anyone who’s ever been unceremoniously cut off by a reckless and still indifferent bus driver can relate. Screw the “nagtatrabaho lang po” excuse – if we must work, let us all work properly.

Speaking of work… this is one “scheme” that I hope works and helps to curb abusive behavior on the road. Time and again we’ve been subjected to experiments (failed or otherwise). But here is one “scheme” that is clear-cut in its method, implementation and eventual goal. I would really like to see the number of vehicles weaving in and out of their lanes decrease. I would really like to see less of these empty buses along EDSA because, let’s face it, they take up precious real estate and do not get to ferry enough people anyway. I would really like to see less of our countrymen try to circumvent the laws that aim to bring order into our otherwise chaotic lives.

To be fair, not all of our bus operators are of the devious kind. I’m pretty sure there are several of them who would like to see those among their ranks who don’t pay the necessary franchise fees go the way of the dinosaur. In fact, even the MMDA has gone out of its way to reach out and dialogue with these upright bus franchise operators. I congratulate those among our bus operators who fall under this category. A silent minority they might be, but – with the acknowledgment of the MMDA – at least we know they exist.

I enjoin all the Backseat Drivers out there to support this new effort by the MMDA. For once, the MMDA had got the lot of us on their side. Let’s let them know how much better it is to be both logically sound and fair yet firm. The MMDA has its own social networking sites (facebook and twitter) and its own website (www.mmda.gov.ph). The proverbial pat on the back is due and very well deserved. Blog on.