LTFRB: Jeepneys, UV Express can ply until June 30

MANILA, Philippines — Operators of traditional jeepneys, UV Express and multicabs will no longer be allowed to operate after June 30, unless they join a cooperative or a corporation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced yesterday.

The LTFRB on Monday issued a memorandum extending the franchises of traditional jeepneys to June 30 instead of the March 31 deadline.

The LTFRB issued the memorandum amid the calls of several transport groups to stop the phaseout of traditional jeepneys.

In line with the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), the LTFRB said operators who fail to meet the consolidation requirement would have their franchises or certificates of public convenience (CPC) 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.

The franchises of PUV operators who fail to join a cooperative or corporation will be automatically rewarded to the existing consolidated entity operating on the same route, according to the LTFRB.

However, operators who meet the June 30 deadline will have their provisional authority to operate until Dec. 31.

The board said the implementation of the PUV modernization program has long been delayed to help operators cope with the adverse impact of the pandemic and soaring cost of fuel.

Transport workers are opposing the program, saying it is anti-poor and promotes monopoly as it requires the acquisition of multimillion-peso modern jeepneys and route consolidation.

The board said affected operators may still avail themselves of the government’s social intervention initiatives.

“There will be mediation procedures in case of rejection in an existing consolidated entity, be it a cooperative or a corporation,” the LTFRB said.