The future of PUVs
Integrating and acting on live data
Unlike the jeepney, which was simply a solution conceived by enterprising Filipinos, the government has a long term plan for PUV Modernization. Many of the requirements it has instituted are not just for the passengers’ safety but will play a role in the government’s longer term goal of computerizing and consolidating public transport.
Among the requirements for PUVs are GPS tracking, speed limiters, onboard CCTV cameras, and electronic fare collection systems. Besides making travel convenient, safe and secure for passengers, these are intended to provide valuable data for the government in order to monitor all the vehicles and routes in the country.
Several systems are currently being studied which can integrate all of these data points to provide live commuter traffic monitoring. The government is also considering conceiving of a new department specifically to monitor public transport using this new technology. The end goal is to be able to take information and use it to better serve the people.
Imagine arriving at a designated stop and finding a jeepney. With this kind of information, the government can quickly dispatch a PUV to pick you up. Lost your wallet in a jeepney? Simply report it and staff will comb through CCTV footage of the jeep your road to find if it is still there or determine if it was stolen.
Once this system is in place, any errant vehicles, whether going beyond their franchise route or driving recklessly, can quickly be identified, found, and quite possibly stopped in its tracks, all thanks to GPS tracking. With the help of CCTV cameras, any crime committed on these vehicles can also be recorded, its perpetrators identified, and his or her whereabouts sent to authorities.
With many of these models sporting LCD screens, advertisements, government announcements, and even helpful videos can be broadcast on the screen. These will provide a convenient way to disseminate useful information to the regular commuter, be it to pay their taxes on time, follow the rules, or even to announce instructions in the event of an emergency.
Finally, the electronic fare collection will allow the government to more closely monitor the system's earnings, more efficiently apply taxes where applicable, and provide those involved with their due salaries.
Naturally, this plan is massive in scale and very complicated in nature. Yet with components like GPS tracking, electronic fare collection, speed limiters, and CCTV cameras already in place, it will be much easier to integrate rather than starting from scratch.
Riding public transport these days is currently the most derided way to get around. Yet once this program is fully mobilized, it could be the most desireable way to get around the city.