Transport groups rally in front of LTFRB against jeepney phaseout

Transport groups rallied in front of the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) office on Tuesday to protest what they view as the government's plan to phase out jeeps, a report on Balitanghali said.

Stop and Go Coalition, a coalition of several transport groups including PISTON, marched in front of the LTFRB office along East Avenue in Quezon City despite canceling a prior three-day strike after the bureau assured them that they will modernize and not phase out jeeps, GMA News' Jun Veneracion reported.

PISTON NCR President Modesto Floranda claimed that at least one million persons will lose their livelihoods if the LTFRB pushes through with its plans to phase out 15-year-old jeepneys and modernize the public transport vehicle.

Floranda insisted more Filipinos will be inconvenienced by the LTFRB's modernization program rather than benefit from it.

Several motorists expressed displeasure at the rally as it clogged the already loaded East Avenue during rush hour.

Transport groups plan on continuing their strike on May 1, Labor Day.

A draft of the Department of Transportation's order on the modernization program requires jeepney operators to replace old engines with Euro IV compliant ones or purchase hybrid or electric jeeps.

Jeepney and taxi operators would need at least P7 million and P12 million in capital, respectively, a minimum fleet of 12 units to obtain a franchise, and GPS and Wi-Fi services. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News