Not all things in life are happy times dear Philkotse.com readers.
In a sad, disheartened post on its Facebook page dated March 20, 2019, Green Frog, the only Philippine hybrid bus company decides to end its honesty payment system for its passengers. And the sad thing is all about the cause of this change.
This is why we can’t have nice things.
Implemented only a few weeks ago, the bus company says that they are disappointed that the honesty system didn’t work as intended as it turns out that thirty (30) percent of the aforementioned bus company’s passengers didn’t pay for their fare.
Back on March 11, Green Frog posted several guidelines on their official Facebook page with regards to using the honesty payment system. In their posted guidelines it encourages passengers to line up properly, to pay in exact change by dropping it in a box near the driver, or use a prepaid tap card once for validation and a second time during disembarking for the actual payment.
It also says on the post that Green Frog personnel were present at bus stops along their assigned travel route which is from The SM Mall of Asia, through C5 and Kalayaan Avenue.
The thing is, even though it was an honesty system, the Green Frog Bus company had placed CCTV monitors inside their buses to presumably catch would be freeloaders riding their buses. Perplexingly enough, some unscrupulous passengers didn’t find the CCTVs enough of a deterred for their dishonest, freeloading ways.
Honesty Payment systems in other countries are commonly used. Just like in some countries in Europe, other countries in Asia like Japan, and in some states in the U.S.
Over in those countries, however, honesty payment systems have been operating for a long time albeit as some posts in Reddit say some measure of dishonesty still exists. Just not as much as 30% which no doubt will definitely hurt any company, public transport or otherwise.
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Green Fog hybrids buses are more environmentally friendlier than their diesel-only counterparts.
An honesty system like what the Green Frog had implemented though has a history of not working as intended here in the Philippines as a similar fate also befell an honesty store opened by the Manila Police District was subsequently closed several months ago due to dishonest buyers.
Once again, it is a sad proposition that something as optimistic, and idealistic as an honesty payment system, for a sustainably powered public transport no less, is ended by dishonesty and the greedy “go getter” attitude some people have.
The Green Frog bus company though still operates as usual on their usual routes and as we’ve said earlier, still provide a more environmentally sound option for traveling on public transport.
Dear Philkotse.com readers, we all believe in honest living. It is also in our collective interest that we do not stop practicing honor and honesty in our own lives especially if others are affected like in driving and using the public passport.
Despite the failure of an honesty payment system, we definitely hope more hybrid bus companies like the Green Frog Bus company become prevalent in the future.
