The government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, or PUVMP, still has not fully taken off due to the strong resistance of both jeepney operators and drivers to consolidate into corporations — a non-negotiable step needed for the initiative to push through.

Four days after the consolidation year-end deadline, the Department of Transportation, or DoTr, said it has yet to finalize the number of consolidated operators and drivers even if a "significant number of applications was observed."

Last Monday, DoTr Office of Transportation Cooperatives Chairperson Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said initial data showed that only 40 percent, or less than half, of jeepneys in the National Capital Region or NCR had conformed to the rules.

Ortega, however, was quick to add that the estimates could likely change.

According to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, or LTFRB, the final number of consolidated jeepney drivers and operators remained unknown because those who signified their intent had yet to pay the required fees before they could be included in the final consolidation report.

"In the meantime that the figures are being finalized, all unconsolidated PUVs may continue operating until 31 January 2024. The LTFRB will issue an appropriate resolution to give effect to this instruction," the LTFRB said in a statement on Wednesday.

Despite the differences with some transport groups, the DoTr maintained that the PUVMP will stay.

Even after the transport strikes, the DoTr issued revised Omnibus Franchising Guidelines that included conditions for franchise consolidation, which the groups said were "unjust and onerous."

Job cuts, fare surge loom

The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide, or PISTON, has warned that approximately 60,000 jeepney drivers and 25,000 jeepney operators nationwide face the loss of their livelihood if the PUVMP pushes through.

IBON Foundation, a progressive think tank, predicted that jeepney fares could surge fivefold due to only 57 percent of public utility jeepneys and 65 percent of utility van express vehicles nationwide being consolidated.