Only 40% of NCR jeepneys consolidated for PUV modernization program —DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday said only 40% of jeepneys in the National Capital Region (NCR) have consolidated for the PUV Modernization Program.

DOTr Office of Transportation Cooperatives chairperson Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will come up with the final count in a few days.

“Nationwide, nandoon tayo sa 70% more or less. Ngunit dito sa Metro Manila or NCR talagang maraming humabol at siguro as of now aabot tayo ng 40%,” he said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(Nationwide, we are at more or less 70%. But here in Metro Manila or NCR, many have consolidated closer to the deadline reaching 40%.)

The application for the consolidation of jeepney operators into cooperatives, which is as part of the government's PUV Modernization Program, ended on Sunday, December 31, 2023.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier declared that there would be no extension of the December 31, 2023 deadline.

Those who failed to apply for consolidation would no longer be allowed to operate starting Monday, January 1, 2024, especially in routes where 60% of PUVs had applications.

But those who operate in routes with less than 60% consolidation or with zero consolidation would still be allowed to ply their routes until January 31.

To prevent a potential transportation crisis, Ortega said consolidated operators may apply for special permits and deploy their jeepneys in the affected routes.

Drivers under nonconsolidated operators may transfer to consolidated cooperatives, he added.

Started in 2017, the PUV Modernization Program aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace PUVs that were not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office.

A modern jeepney unit costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

On December 28, the Supreme Court (SC) asked the DOTr and the LTFRB to comment on a pending petition seeking to stop the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program.

The petition was filed by several groups including PISTON, Para-Advocates For Inclusive Transport, No to PUV Phaseout Coalition, and Bayan Muna party-list.

“Considering the allegations contained, the issues raised, and the arguments adduced in the petition, but without necessarily giving due course thereto, respondents DOTr and LTFRB should comment on the petition and on the urgent application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and/or writ of preliminary injunction within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice hereof,” the SC said in its order.

“Now, therefore, you, respondents DOTr and LTFRB are hereby required to comment on the petition and on the urgent application for a TRO and/or writ of preliminary injunction within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice hereof,” it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News