LTFRB extends franchise of traditional jeepneys

MANILA Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has extended the franchise of traditional jeepneys to allow operators more time to comply with the government’s modernization program.

According to Circular Memorandum No. 2023-013 approved by the LTFRB, traditional jeepneys can operate via a Provisional Authority (PA) until June 30, 2023.

The franchise for traditional jeepneys supposedly was set to expire by the end of March nationwide, except for Metro Manila where PAs are valid until the end of April.

The memorandum, however, states that the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC)  of those who will fail to join a cooperative or corporations on or before June 30 will be revoked.

“The CPC of the operators who fail to join the existing consolidated entity after June 30 will be reverted to the state,’’ the memorandum read.

On the other hand, should operators be able to comply with the set requirements and deadline, they will be allowed to operate until the end of December.

‘’Individual operators may join an existing consolidated entity until 30 of June 2023. Only those individual operators who are able to join an existing consolidated entity on or before 30 June 2023 shall be allowed to have their PA extended until 31 December 2023,’’ the memorandum added.

The regulatory board also clarified that cooperatives or consolidated entities must be duly accredited by the Office of Transportation.

The implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program has been long stretched out and deadlines have been repeatedly extended to aid operators to cope with the adverse effects of the pandemic, the LTFRB also pointed out. (Vance Chan, Inquirer.net rainee)

gsg