LTFRB: Traditional PUJs can ply routes ‘til 31 Jan.

Under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, traditional jeepneys can ply their routes if their areas have less than 60 percent consolidation, or zero consolidation.

But that's 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, 21,685 public utility jeepneys, or 97 percent, have already been consolidated.

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

In a press conference, LTFRB Board Member Riza Marie Paches said only 73 percent of jeepneys nationwide have been consolidated under the PUVMP.

In the NCR, Paches said only 51 percent had consolidated their jeepneys, based on the total number of franchises.

However, based on the number of confirmed and registered jeepney units, she said 21,685, or 97 percent of PUJs, had consolidated in Metro Manila.

"As of this time, we have 145,721 or 76 percent of UV Express and PUJs consolidated," Paches said.

"For the UV Express, around 82 percent is the consolidation rate, and for PUJs, it is 73.96 percent," she said, referring to the nationwide consolidation numbers.

Applications for the consolidation of jeepney operators into cooperatives, which is part of the PUVMP, ended on 31 December 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 complied, like in the metropolis.

The PUVMP was started in 2017, aimed at replacing traditional jeepneys not deemed roadworthy under the standards of the Land Transportation Office with larger vehicles with at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to ferry more passengers and lessen pollution.