Convenient, safe public transport: Yamsuan eyes measure to protect rights, welfare of commuters

Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan has called for the passage of his proposed Magna Carta for Commuters which aims to ensure that mass transportation is not only readily accessible and affordable, but also safe by requiring more stringent licensing and mandatory training for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

Yamsuan said this proposed legislation under House Bill (HB) 2581 would safeguard the rights and welfare of commuters, and make them the priority in planning and implementing transport infrastructure projects.

“As the government continues to implement high-impact transport projects, we need to ensure that these remain commuter-centric. Dapat laging una ang kapakanan ng mga commuter sa pagpapatupad ng mga ganitong proyekto. Ang ating panukalang Magna Carta for Commuters ay may layuning matiyak na abot-kaya, maginhawa at ligtas ang kanilang pagbibiyahe,” said Yamsuan, the vice chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation.

(The welfare of commuters should come first in implementing these projects. Our proposed Magna Carta for Commuters aims to make sure that their commute will be affordable, comfortable and safe.)

Yamsuan said special focus should be placed on the safety of daily commuting, as he expressed concern over the standard practice done by several transportation companies of allowing drivers to work beyond eight hours or deliberately ignoring maintenance checks on their vehicles to cut costs.

“Many lives have been lost and the safety of commuters have been placed in jeopardy as a result of road accidents involving reckless PUV drivers or poorly maintained vehicles. One of the key provisions of our proposed Magna Carta is for the government to promote safe and efficient driving behavior by PUV drivers through mandatory training and more stringent licensing,” Yamsuan said.

Under the bill, the mandatory training shall be subsidized by the government and “shall include modules on commuter rights, PWD (person with disability) accessibility, road safety and basic emergency response.”

Yamsuan commended the Department of Transportation (DOTr) under Secretary Vince Dizon for being proactive in upholding the rights of commuters to inclusive, safe, affordable and accessible public transportation.

“The proposed Magna Carta will add more teeth to the commuter-friendly measures that Secretary Dizon is currently implementing,” Yamsuan said.

Yamsuan said thousands of commuters from his home city of Parañaque, which is home to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), along with millions of other PUV passengers across the country, stand to benefit from the measure.

Besides ensuring that public transportation is safe and convenient, the Magna Carta also protects the rights of commuters to mobility and the availability of public transportation; inclusive infrastructure; and fair share of road space.

It also safeguards their rights to clean air and environmental protection; travel information; assistance during service breakdowns and compensation for service deficiencies; and representation and participation in transport-related policy making.

Public transportation shall have priority use of road space over private motor vehicles under the Magna Carta.

To uphold and promote these rights, the measure requires local government units (LGUs) to, among others, provide a network of pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, bicycle lanes, roads for spaces for non-motorized modes of transport, and waiting areas with proper amenities.

The measure also proposes discounted fares for students, seniors and PWDs as well as adequate, accessible and safe infrastructure that ensures persons with special needs are not excluded.

To ensure the right to clean air, the government is mandated to implement measures that reduce vehicle emissions, and encourage the use of electric and non-motorized transport.

Commuters also have the right to accurate, real-time and accessible information on transportation routes, fares and schedules.

Under the bill, a Commuter Protection Office shall be established by the DOTr at both the national and local levels to monitor and ensure compliance with the provisions of the Magna Carta.