The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced Friday it is drafting a policy to prevent the franchise renewal of dilapidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) nationwide.

LTFRB chairperson Vigor Mendoza II said the initiative aims to modernize the public transport system and ensure commuters have access to reliable and comfortable transportation.

Under the proposed reforms, the agency will implement a stricter confirmation process for franchises.

“We will not confirm any franchise if the vehicle is broken down,” Mendoza said.

The chairperson cited personal observations of poor vehicle conditions, including a jeepney in the Visayas with a hole in the floor and units in Metro Manila with torn or dirty seating.

Mendoza cited that even some modern jeepneys have failed to meet maintenance standards.

He added that the agency will begin the reform through nationwide inspections and monitoring of all PUVs, including jeepneys, taxis and buses as he stressed that the LTFRB is legally mandated to ensure roadworthiness and passenger safety.

This comes as transport group PISTON (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) recently held a mass filing for the renewal of provisional authorities. The group argued that the government’s modernization program has failed, claiming only 128,000 of 300,000 public utility jeepneys remain operational.

PISTON president Mody Floranda stated that 500,000 drivers and operators have been left out of service due to the program.

He said many who entered into consolidation agreements have fallen into debt, with some cooperatives losing their modern units to repossession.