The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) agreed on Monday, Feb. 6, to extend the validity of traditional jeepney franchises.
It is the fourth extension to the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization from June 2020 to allow drivers and operators to form or join a cooperative.
LTFRB data shows that only 60% of the country’s jeepneys are modern.
Jeepneys over 15 years old with non-Euro 4 compliant will be removed from the roads, according to the agency.
“Feeling namin is only about 60% of the entire country have modernized, may naiwan pa pong 40%. So we do not leave anybody outside so ang gusto sana namin at least 95% po would be onboard PUV tinuloy na namin ‘yung modernization,” LTFRB Chair Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said.
“However, sa meeting pag-uusapan din po namin kung may mga areas na fully modernized na, baka doon ilatag na namin ang tuluyan ‘yung full modernization,” he added.
The LTFRB said they are still drafting the extension of the PUV modernization deadline and will come up with eased guidelines necessary to form a cooperative.
“Halimbawa sa isang ruta, nag-aaway away ‘yung mga jeepneys so hindi sila magkasundo na bumuo ng isang kooperatiba. So in this we are looking into the possibility na sa isang ruta ng dalawa o tatlong kooperatiba na lang ang mag-exist,” he continued. KC/Report from Karen Villanda – gb
