Tricycles help with rides as apprehensions start on unconsolidated jeeps

Some tricycles in Manila provided alternative transportation to commuters who found it difficult to catch a ride as the authorities announced that it would start to apprehend unconsolidated jeepneys on Thursday.

According to a report by Mark Salazar in "24 Oras", there were no jeepneys available in a terminal at Nagtahan in Manila on Thursday morning as the jeepneys there did not consolidate into cooperatives under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). 

Tricycles came to the rescue for commuters who were having a hard time finding a ride, but they cost more. 

"Yung napa-print ko pong money na ginamit ko for school nagkulang na po," said Elijah, a student. "Pagpunta ko sa sakayan ng jeep nakita ko po ito, P20 po pala. Ang dala ko lang po is halos P14 na lang.”

(The money I have for school is not enough. When I went to the jeepney terminal, I saw a tricycle, but it’s P20. What’s left with me is only around P14.) 

Others are ready to spend some extra cash just to protect themselves from the scorching heat. 

"Jeep po yung sinasakyan ko papunta,pauwi po talaga sa amin [...] wala akong choice [kundi] mag-tricycle kasi pag nilakad ko po, mainit po," said Dave, also a student. 

(I usually ride a jeepney on my way to school or going home…I have no choice but to ride a tricycle, because it’s very hot now if I just walk.) 

The Manila city government  deployed free rides to cushion the impact of the PUVMP. 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said that jeepney units that did consolidate after the April 30 deadline would already be deemed “colorum.”

The LTFRB warned that unconsolidated jeepney drivers found still plying routes starting May 16 would be penalized with a P10,000 fine, while their units would be fined P50,000 and impounded for 30 days. 

Some 40 unconsolidated jeepneys plying the Paco-Rotonda-Nagtahan route did not try their luck to hit the road due to fears of being penalized. 

"Paano kami babiyahe kung huhulihin kami ng LTFRB. Biyaheng-biyahe ho kami kung tutuusin lang, kasi mga driver ko dito puro may mga pamilyang pinapakain," said Paul Dan Dela Cruz, PARONAJODA president. 

(How can we hit the road if the LTFRB will apprehend us. We really want to operate because many of my drivers have families to feed.) 

With the absence of several jeepneys, only three modern jeepneys plying the said route will serve hundreds of commuters daily. 

"Maraming pasahero sa umaga, di naman kayang i-ano lahat yan, isakay lahat ng ibang biyahe," said commuter Alex. 

(There are so many passengers in the morning. It’s impossible to cater all of them.) 

The LTFRB said that traditional jeepneys in 313 routes in Metro Manila did not consolidate before the April 30 deadline. 

In Caloocan-Balintawak, there are lesser jeepneys now in eight routes. But the LTFRB said that there are enough consolidated jeepneys available in the areas.

Meanwhile, there are only a few jeepneys now plying the route going to Blumentritt in Manila. 

There were also at least 30 routes to Cubao in Quezon City that were also affected with the unavailability of unconsolidated jeepneys. 

The LTFRB earlier said it would issue special permits to allow authorized PUVs to ply in routes without consolidated jeepneys. —Vince Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News