An official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reminded operators of traditional jeepneys that they have until June 30 to consolidate their franchises.
Speaking to One News / TV 5’s “The Chiefs” on Monday evening, DOTr Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing said that operators don’t necessarily have to purchase new vehicles as the national government’s public utility vehicle modernization program begins with the consolidation of franchises.
“By June 30 dapat ‘yung mga operators ng mga jeepneys na ‘yan ay nag consolidate na sila ng kanilang mga prangkisa. Not necessarily kailangan nila bumili ng bagong sasakyan ano… kung hindi ‘yung program starts with consolidation of franchise,” Suansing said.
The DOTr official said, in a previous interview with “The Chiefs”, that if jeepney operators can’t consolidate their franchises, “then they lose the chance of being given another franchise to operate in that route.”
“Kung halimbawa sa isang ruta sampu silang operator na nagooperate dyan ng x number of jeepneys dapat consolidate sila. Mag form ng isang organization it’s either a corporation or cooperative na mag magpapatakbo ng sistema,” Suansing explained.
However, Suansing clarified that old jeepneys would still have the chance to operate this year as the deadline for them to consolidate has been extended until December.
Meanwhile, Suansing also said that they also have to determine the optimum number of vehicles that can operate in order to ease traffic congestion.
“Ang nabigyan ng prankisa dito sa NCR na mga jeepneys is around 55,000 kaya nakikita nyo ang gulo ng kalsada natin ano… paparada sa gitna para magsakay at magbaba ng pasahero. So we want to correct that,” he said.
Jeepneys were not allowed to ply their routes in Metro Manila after all types of public transportation were suspended in March due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019.
However, Malacañang said in a press briefing last week that traditional jeepneys that are deemed roadworthy may be allowed to operate if the supply of buses and modern public utility vehicles is not enough to accommodate commuters during the second phase of the resumption of public transportation.
“Pinapayagan po sa second phase ang modern PUVs at kung kukulangin maaring payagan ng LTFRB ang traditional jeepneys provided they are roadworthy,” Roque said.