Group warns of P50 minimum fare for modern jeepneys

A commuters’ group on Wednesday warned of a P50 minimum fare for modern jeepneys following the implementation of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport said modernization comes with a huge financial burden for operators and drivers.

“Meron tayong malaking cost ng modernization. Hindi lang ito yung unit, kasama rito yung garahe, fees sa paggagawa ng coop, pagha-hire ng mekaniko at marami pang iba,” said PARA-AIT Convenor Edrich Samonte in Saleema Refran and Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras.''

(The modernization entails huge costs, not only for the modern jeepney units but also for the garage, cooperative fees, and hiring of mechanics, among others.)

“Ang basis po natin sa pagtaas ng pamasahe dahil kailangan pong magbayad ng operator ng utang. 'Yung driver po kailangang kumita ng sapat para may mapangkain,” Samonte said.

(The basis for the minimum fare is the drivers and operators’ expenses for the PUVMP.)

The current minimum fare is P13 for traditional jeepneys and P15 for modern jeepneys.

The group also said big corporations may benefit from the franchises of jeepneys.

“Tinitingnan natin ‘yung corporate, malalaking korporasyon mga kapitalista ang maaring humawak ng ating jeeps. Magkakaroon po tayo ng incentive para mag profit basically. Mas malaki yung profit na hindi naman sila mag-i-invest for nothing,” he added.

(Big corporations and capitalists may soon manage the jeepneys. We’ll have incentives on their profits. They would not invest if they would not have huge profits.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for comment.

Meanwhile, several transportation groups urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to temporarily suspend the PUVMP while the Supreme Court is resolving the petitions seeking to stop its implementation.

“Hintayin nyo na kaya muna kaysa kanselahin nyo ngayon. Eh, kung nanalo ang mga tsuper at commuter sa Korte Suprema, hindi nyo na mabalik ang nakalipas. Kasi nawalan na sila ng prangkisa, nawalan na sila ng pangkain for how many months,” said lawyer Neri Colmenares.

(They should wait for the SC resolution before canceling the franchise. What if the drivers won? The drivers lost their franchise and livelihood.)

“Even the President should realize that the LTFRB practically did not implement the deadline in the sense na na-realize siguro ng LTFRB na medyo matindi ang dagok. Kahit 20% lang ibawas mo sa mga jeepney, pahirapan na,” Colmenares added.

Colmenares said transport groups are eyeing filing a motion for status quo ante order against the modernization program.

The PUVMP, which started in 2017, aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace PUVs that are not roadworthy by the standards of the Land Transportation Office.

Each unit, however, costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said is too expensive for PUV drivers and operators. — Sundy Locus/VBL, GMA Integrated News