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)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Brace for a P50 minimum fare.

This was the warning of a commuters’ group on Wednesday (January 3), saying this is possible following the implementation of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

“Meron tayong malaking cost ng modernization. Hindi lang ito yung unit, kasama rito yung garahe, fees sa paggagawa ng coop, pagha-hire ng mekaniko at marami pang iba,” PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport (AIT) Convenor Edrich Samonte said.

In an interview with Saleema Refran and Ian Cruz on “24 Oras,” he said the modernization comes with a huge financial burden for operators and drivers.

“Ang basis po natin sa pagtaas ng pamasahe dahil kailangan pong magbayad ng operator ng utang. ‘Yung driver po kailangang kumita ng sapat para may mapangkain,” Samonte said.

The current minimum fare is P13 for traditional jeepneys and P15 for modern jeepneys but it may jack up to P50, the commuters group said.

“Tinitingnan natin ‘yung corporate, malalaking korporasyon mga kapitalista ang maaring humawak ng ating jeeps. Magkakaroon po tayo ng incentive para mag profit basically. Mas malaki yung profit na hindi naman sila mag-i-invest for nothing,” Samonte added.

(AI/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

SENATOR Grace Poe has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) until after all issues hounding it are resolved.

Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz amid reports of alleged corruption.

The chairperson of the Committee on Public Services in the Upper House said that the alleged act of corruption is “unjust” for the public utility vehicle drivers.

“Kung totoo ang alegasyon, hindi ito makatarungan sa ating mga drayber na nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil pinaboran pala ang mga naglalagay,” Poe said.

Erring officials must be held accountable for bungling a very critical program of the transport sector, she added.

The senator hopes that while those involved are being investigated, the modernization program is also being organized that will improve the livelihood of drivers and provide proper service to commuters.

(ai/mnm)