(File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday said it is confident that 60 percent of public utility jeepneys in Metro Manila beat the April 30 consolidation deadline.
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said the current number of consolidated jeepneys in Metro Manila is at 57 percent, up frpm 54 percent on December last year.
“Right now we are at 57 percent, we anticipate to reach the 60 percent mark by this afternoon, dahil dagsa po ang mga tao ngayon (because there are many people now) — we are confident to reach that mark of 60 percent,” he said in a press briefing.
Based on data from the LTFRB, there are a total of 42,177 public utility jeepneys in Metro Manila.
The rest of the drivers and operators who would not be able to consolidate will then be marked as colorum vehicles starting May 1.
Guadiz insisted that the 60 percent would be “more than enough” as there are other modes of transportation available to the commuting public.
“After a thorough study, 60 percent is more than enough,” said Guadiz.
“We have other modalities here: may bus ka, may train ka, may taxi ka, may tricycle ka (you have buses, trains, taxis and tricycles). There are other modes of transportation that can cover these PUJs that will now leave the streets,” he said.
Guadiz also said that jeepneys with longer routes could also service other routes.
Furthermore, Guadiz also claimed that there is an “oversupply” of jeepneys in Metro Manila, citing a 2016 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
“We have an oversupply of PUJs, and we really need to trim down the number if we are to make this jeepney modernization program a success or as a viable alternative,” Guadiz explained.
Nationwide consolidation to also reach 80-82 percent.
Guadiz also expressed optimism that the number of consolidated jeepneys nationwide will reach 80 to 82 percent.
Guadiz said that 79 percent of jeepneys nationwide have been consolidated as of 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
“We are very confident because we are just one percent away from the 80 percent,” said Guadiz.
Guadiz reiterated that unconsolidated units will be tagged as colorum vehicles, and drivers will be apprehended by the LTFRB, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Violators will receive a penalty of one year suspension, and a P50,000 fine.
Such apprehensions, however, will begin only by the second week of May 1 or after it has completed issuing show cause orders against those who chose not to consolidate their PUJs.