The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will soon require all public utility buses (PUBs) to have GPS (Global Position System) installed so their location and speed can be monitored while on the road.
Bus operators can purchase the GPS devices only from suppliers accredited by the LTFRB. The devices will also come with a SIM card slot, GSM/GPRS connectivity, and updated firmware so it can send data to servers for monitoring.
“Ang paglalagay ng GPS sa mga pampublikong bus ay isang paraan para madaling malaman kung ang isang bus ay wala sa tamang ruta ng ayon sa kanilang prangkisa,” said LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez.
GPS suppliers are also required to equip the device with LED-based On Screen Displays that show the actual speed of the bus so that passengers can also monitor if the bus driver is complying to the set speed limits – 60kph for Metro Manila, 90kph for provincial.
In addition, the board is also planning to develop a mobile application so users can check on their smartphone or tablet the bus’s location, when it will arrive, and how long it will take to reach their destinations.
FINALLY!!! I hope for more improvements to come. Our public transportation are too behind and archaic as compared to other neighboring countries, where not that really-poor country anyways.
I hope DOTC will come to their senses to start reform our public transportation, we’ve been stuck to the past for a very long time. Its very fragmented, chaotic and inconsistent. We still don’t have organized bus/jeepney transit, especially in cities, and our metro system is a big mess, operating differently even with same management (plus the on-going issues we’ve been seeing lately).
Btw since we’re having GPS on buses, is the data available to the public or at least for developers that can use the data to make applications, like tracking the next arrival and EST travel to certain locations. If It is, then hopefully no more guessing game especially for rush hour.