Only 40% of PUVs filed for NCR consolidation

The Department of Transportation or DoTr strictly maintained the deadline set for franchise consolidation of public utility jeepneys under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program or PUVMP. 

However, it was notable that only 40 percent, or less than half, of jeepneys in the National Capital Region or NCR have conformed to the rules.

"Nationwide, we are at 70 percent, more or less, consolidation rate but here in Metro Manila or NCR, many of them tried to make it before the deadline so I think now we are at 40 percent here," DoTr Office of Transportation Cooperatives chairperson Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said in a television interview on Monday. 

Ortega noted that the estimates might change as the LTFRB has yet to determine the final count — considering that the deadline was only one day ago. 

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

To recall, no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared that there would be no extension of the 31 December 2023 deadline.

Those who failed to apply for consolidation would no longer be allowed to operate but drivers and nonconsolidated operators may transfer to consolidated cooperatives.

Meanwhile, those who operate in routes with less than 60 percent consolidation or with zero consolidation would still be allowed to ply their routes until 31 January.

Amid strong clamor to halt the planned PUVMP, the Supreme Court or SC, last 28 December 2023, asked the DoTr and the LTFRB to comment on a pending petition seeking to stop the PUVMP implementation.

"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 the urgent application for a Temporary Restraining Order and/or writ of a 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 the urgent application for a TRO and/or writ of a preliminary injunction within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice hereof," it added.

The petition was filed by several groups including PISTON, Para-Advocates For Inclusive Transport, No to PUV Phaseout Coalition and the Bayan Muna Partylist.

Under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Plan or PUVMP, new jeepney units should run with Euro 4-compliant engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs.

These modern PUVs should also be equipped with closed-circuit television cameras, a GPS navigation system, an Automatic Fare Collection System, speed limiters, dashboard cameras and WiFi.

In June 2017, the Department of Transportation, then led by former chief Arthur P. Tugade, launched the PUVMP.

The program aims to come up with a "restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably."