Future bus speed limit for Metro Manila buses: 40 km/hr

MANILA, Philippines – Buses plying Metro Manila roads will soon be fitted with a gadget that will physically limit speed at up to 40 kilometers (km) per hour.

Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will issue a memorandum circular (MC) soon requiring metro bus drivers and operators to install speed limiters, which will each cost around P10,000.

“These are mechanical gadgets that will be attached to the engines and transmission of buses that will physically limit the maximum speed at 40 km per hour. The implementation of which will be done on a staggered basis,” said Roxas.
 
“The MC will include penalties for tampering. There will be a fleet-wide penalty so that bus owners can make sure that all their units are equipped with speed limiters.  We are targeting a 100-percent compliance for the metro buses before the year ends,”  said the transportation chief.

There are 4,000 metro buses plying the metropolis and 7,000 registered provincial buses with the LTFRB.
 
Eventually, speed limits will also be imposed on provincial bus operators, he added.  
 
Data provided by the DOTC stated that in 2011 there were 395 victims recorded from bus accidents nationwide. Of which, 74 died and were 300 injured. – Rappler.com