MMDA eyes placing hi-tech tracers in public vehicles

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is planning a state-of-the-art approach to clamp down on erring public utility vehicles and out-of-line automobiles. Radio dzEC reported Wednesday that MMDA General Manager Roberto Nacianceno disclosed a plan to install microchips, which will act like airplane transponders, in commuter buses. Nacianceno said the chips will provide the MMDA's central monitoring station with information on the vehicle's position and speed and show if the vehicle is straying from its route. The MMDA will share the information gathered from this system with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), he said. Nacianceno said that while the MMDA's objective is to keep traffic flow smooth in major thoroughfares, the LTFRB's goal is to punish public utility operators violating their franchises. He also said this system will complement the agreement the MMDA signed with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for joint use of each other's closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera systems. - GMANews.TV