By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With the lapse of the April 30, 2024 deadline for jeepney consolidation under the government’s public utility vehicles modernization program (PUVMP), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has denied claims of a possible fare hike soon.
LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III on Saturday (04 May 2024) stood firm that the current jeepney fare will remain.
“There is no basis to implement fare hikes for public utility vehicles (PUVs)… Several factors such as inflation and cost of fuel must be considered before the agency approves a new fare increase,” Guadiz said.
The LTFRB stated that a local chapter of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) earlier claimed that jeepney drivers could demand a higher fare up to P25 due to the financial pressures of purchasing modern jeepney units.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also said that operators and drivers will be notified that their franchises are revoked “a week or two” after the April 30 consolidation deadline.
It urged unconsolidated operators and drivers not to persist in operating despite their lack of franchise.
It can be noted that the PUVMP which started in 2017 aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution.
The PUVMP also aims to replace units that are not deemed roadworthy by the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) standards.
(el Amigo/MNM)
