Traditional jeepneys can still ply their routes if their area has less than 60 percent consolidation or with zero consolidation for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

That is not the case in Metro Manila because according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board based on the number of confirmed and registered jeepney units, 97 percent or 21,685 public utility jeepneys have already consolidated in the metropolis.

This means, that traditional jeepneys that don't join the PUVMP will no longer be allowed to ply their routes in the National Capital Region or Metro Manila.

In a press conference, LTFRB board member Riza Marie Paches said only 73 percent of jeepneys in the country have consolidated for the PUVMP. In NCR, Paches said that based on the total number of franchises, only 51 percent have consolidated for jeepneys.

But based on the number of confirmed and registered jeepney units, Paches said that 97 percent or 21,685 PUJs have already consolidated in Metro Manila.

"As of this time, we already have 76 percent or 145,721 in terms of the units for UV Express and the public utility jeepneys," Paches said.

"For UV Express, nasa 82 percent na po iyong (around 82 percent is the) consolidation rate and for the PUJ that is 73.96 percent," she added referring to the number of consolidated public utility vehicles nationwide.

The application for the consolidation of jeepney operators into cooperatives, which is part of the government's PUVMP, ended on December 31, 2023.

Those who failed to apply for consolidation would no longer be allowed to operate starting Monday, 1 January 2024, especially in routes where 60 percent of PUVs had applications, like in the metropolis.

The PUVMPS started in 2017, which aimed to replace traditional jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace units that were not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office.