Commuters worried over steeper fare with fewer jeepneys

Several passengers are worried about paying for higher transportation costs following the implementation of the government's public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

"It will be more costly talaga...Magagalaw din yung usual daily budget mo. Sana you can spend more for food mapupunta na lang sa transportation," said commuter Eugene Villanueva in Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras" on Friday. 

(It will be more costly and we will need to adjust our daily budget for it. Our allowances for food may only go for transportation costs.) 

Data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), 48.66% or 20,525 jeepney units in Metro Manila were not consolidated.

The affected jeepney will no longer be allowed to operate starting February 1, 2024.

Despite the franchise loss of some jeepneys, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said there will be enough jeepneys to ferry passengers.

"There is supply. These are short routes lang that can be covered by redundant public transport that can be used," said LTFRB Board Member Riza Mae Paches. 

Transport group PISTON, for its part, questioned why jeepney drivers and operators who were part of associations were being forced to consolidate.

"Yung association kasi considered na consolidation yan dahil ibat ibang operator magsampa sama sa isang association bakit di kilalanin," said Piston President Mody Floranda. 

(Associations can be considered as a way of consolidation.)

Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez wants an investigation into the alleged corruption in the PUVMP. 

GMA Integrated News reached out to the Department of Transportation and LTFRB Chief Teofilo Guadiz for comments.

Guadiz declined to issue a statement but the LTFRB and the DoTr previously said the government only issued specifications on modern jeepneys and that the cooperatives may avail units from 54 manufacturers.

"Hindi po limited ang design for as long as maka comply sa specifications at requirement na nakalagay sa pns pwede nila bilhin," said LTFRB Technical Division Chief Joel Bolano. 

(The designs are not limited. As long as they can comply with the specifications and requirements indicated in the PNS then they can buy it.) 

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/NB, GMA Integrated News