LTFRB: No more old jeepneys by 2020

But only 4k of 170k units modernized

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday warned jeepney operators nationwide of the looming deadline to comply with the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

LTFRB board member Ronald Corpuz yesterday assured commuters that they would no longer see old jeepneys plying the streets by July 1, 2020.

“The deadliest deadline is June 30, 2020. By then, all polluting and dilapidated jeeps will be gone,” he said.

Corpuz said “if the existing units are not changed and the existing operators do not consolidate by June 30, 2020, their routes will be opened to those willing operators that would want to run new compliant units.”

Under the government’s PUV modernization program launched in 2017, old jeepneys are required to be replaced with modern PUVs that are powered by either brand-new Euro 4-compliant diesel engines or electric motors. 

The program is part of efforts to provide a safer transport system for commuters while mitigating the effects of climate change.

However, LTFRB technical division chief Joel Bolano said there are only 4,000 modern jeepneys operating at present, far from the government’s target of replacing 170,000 units nationwide.

LTFRB officials said there are certain groups and operators who continue to oppose and reject the PUV modernization plan of the government.

“Accepting and understanding a message depends really on the receiver. There are really those who just refuse to accept and understand. And that is really one of the main challenges in implementing this program,” Corpuz said.

Corpuz also criticized groups saying that they should be allowed to adjust and adopt gradually to the shift.

“This started in 2017. Isn’t that considered gradual? Three years already and it is not still gradual?” he said.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said there is no stopping the PUV modernization program despite a few who are opposing it.

Tugade earlier instructed the Office of Transportation Cooperatives to fasttrack approvals of transport groups intending to modernize their fleet and consolidate into cooperatives to further strengthen the country’s shift towards the utilization of modern public utility vehicles.