LTFRB: Only 73% of jeepneys consolidated for PUV modernization

Only 73% of jeepneys in the country have consolidated for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Friday.

“As of this time, we already have 76% or 145,721 in terms of the units for UV Express and the public utility jeepneys (PUJs),” LTFRB board member Riza Marie Paches said at a press conference.

“For UV Express, nasa 82% na po iyong (around 82% is the) consolidation rate and for the PUJ that is 73.96%,” she added.

The application for the consolidation of jeepney operators into cooperatives, which is part of the government's PUVMP, ended on December 31, 2023.

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.

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.

In the National Capital Region, Paches said that based on the total number of franchises, only 51% have consolidated for jeepneys.

But based on the number of confirmed and registered jeepney units, Paches said that 97% or 21,685 PUJs have already consolidated in Metro Manila.

Special permits

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

Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace units 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 PUVMP.

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. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News