Bill seeks insurance coverage for MRT, LRT passengers

This is in light of the recent Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) accident wherein 24-year-old Angeline Fernando got her arm caught in the coupler linking two train coaches together when she fell into a space between them. (Photo: PNR, MRT, LRT in the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA— A lawmaker in the House of Representatives is pushing for the provision of insurance coverage to passengers of mass rail transit and light rail services.

Aangat-Tayo Partylist Rep. Neil Abayon has filed House Bill 6680, which seeks to require all operators, franchise holders, and service providers of mass transport passenger trains and light rail services to acquire a comprehensive third-party liability insurance coverage for the commuters.

This is in light of the recent Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) accident wherein 24-year-old Angeline Fernando got her arm caught in the coupler linking two train coaches together when she fell into a space between them.

“The many incidents resulting in injuries and deaths along our country’s light rails and railways highlight the need for the provision of insurance coverage meant to make sure all victims are properly compensated and the government is also protected as to liability costs,” Abayon said in his explanatory note.

Abayon said insurance is the “appropriate long-term solution” to respond to possible passenger injuries and deaths.
“The Department of Transportation (DOTr) cannot keep on drawing money from its discretionary funds to pay for hospitalization and recovery expenses of victims. Considering how frequent the accidents and failure incidents are happening, that would be unwise management of public funds,” he said.

The bill states that the insurance mechanisms may involve one or a combination of different insurance solutions:(1) microinsurance per passenger per trip; (2) insurance for entire or components of rail networks; (3) insurance coverage borne by service providers; and (4) insurance that includes coverage for calamities and other fortuitous events.

“Bottom line is the cost to the riding public and the government must be reasonably minimal or hardly felt. Higher fare rates must not be the result of the insurance coverage for these incidents,” Abayon said.