Jeepneys may continue plying routes

Traditional jeepneys of operators who joined the franchise consolidation may still continue to ply their routes even beyond the April 30 consolidation deadline, this according to LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III during the SPMJ Butch Gamboa Memorial Forum held last April 17 at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

After the April 30 deadline, franchises of operators who have not signed up for consolidation will be revoked and their units will be deemed colorum, regardless if they are modern or traditional, according to the LTFRB chairman.

The LTFRB will issue a circular giving special permits to jeepneys from neighboring routes to temporarly serve the affected ones along routes that are anticipated to experience a shortage of jeepneys after the deadline.

DOTr undersecretary for road transport and infrastructure Andy Ortega emphasized that the consolidation of individual franchises into cooperatives or corporations is a major step to push through the modernization, alongside the many components of the Public Transport Modernization Program.

LTFRB Board Member Atty. Mercy Jane Leynes, who was also present at the forum, explained that the replacement of traditional jeepneys with DOST PNS-compliant jeepney units will not happen immediately. The Route Rationalization Plan from the local government units is needed to determine the appropriate number of modern jeepneys needed in a particular route.

Ramil Urrera of the Office of Transport Cooperatives added that as a result of the revocation of franchises of operators not participating in the consolidation, drivers serving these operators could lose their income.  But, these drivers will be most welcome to drive for operators who have joined the consolidation to service their routes for longer hours. 

The consolidation of franchises was supposed to have ended last January but Pres. BBM extended the deadline for another 3 months until April 30 with no further extension.