19 August 2010
Posted in
BoholLife Blog -
Getting Around in Bohol
Read Story at www.theglobeandmail.com
This morning (Aug 19th 2010), I was saddened to see a news story detailing how 41 innocent people had lost their lives in yet another Tragic Bus Crash.
This time it was in Beguet, Baguio, last month Cebu. When will the government and local officials take charge of a transport system that is seemingly unregulated and “Out of Control”.
Operators appear to have total disregard for the safety of their fare paying passengers. They operate vehicles that in many cases should be scrapped. It is common to see worn out tires on buses and jeepneys, I doubt the brakes are in much better condition on some vehicles.
Bus Drivers are as guilty as the operators. They often drive way to fast on roads where caution should be shown. Using the size of their vehicles to intimidate other road users. How many times have you had to take avoiding action as a bus drives at you head on, get out of my way or die seems to be the normal modus operandi here.
The answer must lie with Government. They must mandate new laws and safety standards for public transport operators and vehicles. The current situation of over crowded, poorly maintained and unqualified drivers, is a proven recipe for disaster.
If this issue is not addressed, then sadly, more and more innocent victims will loose their lives. Complain to your local officials, your Mayor. Use the social networks Facebook, twitter to voice you concerns.
I know so many people rely on this fairly cheap form of transport. That said, you and I have a right to travel, confident that the bus we are riding, is road worthy and has met at least minimum safety standards and daily checks.
President Aquino has been very vocal about rooting out corruption in government offices etc. Let’s hope they look at the bodies giving operator licenses. Surely this must already have some sort of regulation.
My own experiences of the LTO, leave me thinking there is little hope. The smoke I see belching out of many buses and Jeepneys, prove that a visit to an LTO Test Station, can be more a case of “who you are” or “who you know”, rather than "how smoky" your vehicle is. Corruption???
Let our hearts and prayers be with the families and tragic victims of the Benguet Bus Crash. Let their deaths, not be in vain. Alan Jay.
Comments
I really hope somebody will start to take some precautionary measures soon.
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