LTFRB: PUVs refusing to join modernization program by Dec 31 deadline will not immediately lose franchise

Public utility vehicles (PUV) that will not participate in the government’s PUV modernization program won’t immediately lose franchise to ply routes, the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Thursday.

LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III made the clarification amid the looming December 31 deadline for PUVs to be a part of the PUV Modernization Program, starting with being a part of a consolidated entity to secure a franchise to operate PUVs that are roadworthy by LTFRB standards.

Guadiz said drivers and operators who refuse to join the PUV modernization program will be given provisional authority to ply their routes under their existing franchise but only until such time there are enough vehicles in the consolidated fleet.

“Kung ang isang ruta ay may 50 jeep na lumalayag, at iyong 40 roon ay consolidated na at may 10 na hindi pa nag-coconsolidate, eh ang kailangan mong jeep ay singkwenta. Iyong sampu, puede pang bumiyahe hanggang hindi natatapos iyong consolidation noong 40,” Guadiz said.

(For example, if one route needs 50 jeeps to serve it, and 40 of these are consolidated and 10 that have not consolidated, the 10 jeeps will still be allowed to ply their routes until the 40 jeeps have finished their consolidation.)  

“To prevent a vacuum in certain areas, we will temporarily allow iyong hindi nag consolidate until the consolidation of 40 others are finished. But the moment that is finished, (the 10 jeeps) will have to stop traversing that route. Hindi na sila puede bumiyahe,” Guadiz added. 

(They will no longer be allowed to operate.)

Guadiz concluded that PUVs should take part in the modernization program, sooner than later.

The LTFRB added that only substantial compliance is needed to meet the December 31 deadline, meaning those who have applied to consolidation by Dec. 31 will be considered compliant with the program.

LTFRB Technical Division Head Joel Bolano said that of the 154,000 public utility jeepneys for consolidation, 95,000 have already consolidated.

As for the 19,000 UV Express units for consolidation, 13,000 have already consolidated, according to Bolano.