Unconsolidated jeeps still plying most NCR routes
Jeepneys and other PUVs that missed the Dec. 31 deadline to consolidate continued to ply their routes in Metro Manila yesterday.
Mody Floranda, president of transport group PISTON said none of the jeepney routes in Metro Manila have met the 60 percent mark for PUV consolidation, which means that “technically,” all PUV operators in the National Capital Region can still operate.
“Not a single route has reached the 60 percent compliance for consolidation. For the Cubao Divisoria, 13 units of modern ply this route, but you have 155 traditional jeepneys,” Floranda said in a radio interview yesterday.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, in a memorandum circular, said unconsolidated PUVs would still be allowed to ply routes where less than 60 percent of units are consolidated.
“But this is what’s confusing with the LTFRB policy — we were given a month that we are still allowed to ply our routes, but they are also saying we no longer have a franchise, that it has expired. This is causing confusion in the transport sector,” Floranda said.
DOTr-Office of Transportation Cooperative head Jesus Ferdinand Ortega admitted that for Metro Manila, only 40 percent of PUVs have agreed to join either a corporation or a cooperative.
“Nationwide, it is more or less 70 percent but here in Metro Manila as of now, it is 40 percent but the final count will still have to be done by the LTFRB. Maybe in the next few days, we will be able to determine the final numbers,” Ortega said in a television interview.
“LTFRB is expediting that, to release that board resolution so operators will know who are part of those who have yet to meet the 60 percent mark and are still allowed to ply their routes,” he said.
He said the LTFRB will also be issuing special orders to consolidated transport groups.
Jeepney drivers and operators earlier petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the government from implementing its Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVM).
In its petition, Piston asked the Court to issue a temporary restraining order of a writ of preliminary injunction to prevent the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB from carrying out their orders and circulars.
The PUVMP lays down the process for the mandatory consolidation of individual operators under transport cooperatives and corporations and the issuance of new franchises.