Hontiveros hints at looming transport crisis: proposes public transport service contracting

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday suggested that the government adopt a service contracting program with the transportation sector to prevent a looming commuter crisis. 

She said service contracting as proposed by the #MoveAsOne coalition and other advocacy groups will ensure that enough buses, jeeps, and other types of public transport vehicles are available in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Under such contracts, operators and drivers will be paid by the government a per kilometer fee to ply their routes.

“The fixed fees for drivers and operators will also remove the hazards attached to the current boundary system,” she added.

She also said the scheme will allow the government to better enforce social distancing and other health guidelines in the operation of public transportation vehicles.

The legislator made the suggestion after the first day of general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila last Monday saw a large number of commuters stranded and unable to travel due to limited public transportation.

Hontiveros said the shortage has forced commuters to line up in long, crowded lines and ignore social distancing and other health protocols just to find ways to get moving.

"Hindi dapat maging 'new normal' ang mahirap, matagal at delikadong commute para sa ating mga mananakay (A slow and difficult commute should not be a ‘new normal’ for our commuters). The government should immediately tap the private transportation sector and adopt a service contracting scheme, so that more public transport becomes available for Filipinos going back to their jobs and businesses," she said.

Since the government may not have the funds to enter into service contracts with all transport providers simultaneously, Hontiveros cited the proposal of the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) that such service arrangements be made on a rotational basis.

"Subok na ang service contracting dahil ginawa na ito ng mga local government units (LGUs) para ibyahe ang kanilang mga frontliner sa gitna ng enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) (Service contracting is proven and has been used by LGUs to transport frontliners under ECQ). If expanded on a national scale, it will be a great way to immediately increase the passenger capacity of our transport systems in Metro Manila and elsewhere," Hontiveros said.