50% of Metro Manila jeepneys could be considered ‘colorum’ starting Feb. 1

Half of the jeepneys in Metro Manila could be considered ‘colorum’ starting February 1, 2024; Joseph Morong reported on 24 Oras on Thursday. 

Based on data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), only 21,655 out of 42,177 units, or 51%, met the consolidation deadline last December 31, leaving 20,522 units still unconsolidated.

“Lahat ng hindi nakapag consolidate, classified po na colorum kaya huhulihin na po,” said LTFRB Chairman Attorney Teofilo Guadiz III.

(All those who did not consolidate will be classified as colorum, so they will be apprehended.)

With this development, the LTFRB urged unconsolidated jeepney operators to join or form a cooperative before the extended deadline ends on January 31, 2024. 

“May mga kooperatiba, may mga existing cooperatives, pwede nilang salihan ‘yun,” he said. 

(There are cooperatives, existing cooperatives, that they can join.)

Meanwhile, the LTFRB assured the fare in modern jeepneys will not cost more than P30.

According to the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) Chairman Andy Ortega, fare increases will go through hearings.

He said some cooperatives currently earn P8,000 pesos per unit daily, which is enough to pay off the bank loan used in purchasing the newer vehicles. This does not include government subsidy that is deducted from the price of the modern jeep or mini bus.

“Times 30 days, nag-earn siya ng P240,000 for that unit. Kayang-kaya po ‘yung hulugan sa kanyang pag-acquire ng modern vehicle,” Ortega said.

(Multiplied by 30 days, [a driver] earns P240,000 for that unit. He can afford monthly installments to buy a modern vehicle.)

The OTC said it is also investigating reported cases of jeepney drivers whose vehicles were held by the cooperative they joined.

The application for the consolidation of jeepney operators into cooperatives, which is part of the modernization program, ended on December 31, 2023. It was extended until January 31.

Those who fail to apply for consolidation would no longer be allowed to operate starting February.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News