LTFRB memo on franchise extension of old jeepneys soon

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz 

MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is drafting memorandum circular outlining details of its recent approval of extension of franchises of traditional public utility jeepneys nationwide.
    During a press briefing at the LTFRB office in East Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday, LTFRB technical division chief Joel Bolano said the exact parameters of the extension are being studied.    
    “We will just wait for the final date up to when the extension of their authority to operate will be. This will be part of the new memorandum circular that we will issue very soon,” Bolano said.
    The franchises of thousands of traditional jeepneys were set to end in March and April as part of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP), but the LTFRB approved the extension.
    He called on the remaining traditional jeepney drivers and operators to join the PUVMP by creating a transport cooperative or corporation with the help of the Office of Transport Cooperatives.
    “Aside from that, we also have the Project Management Office that is focused on the PUVMP. Its objective is to assist and guide stakeholders for the requirements and processes of consolidation,” Bolano said.
    The PUVMP’s goal is not to phase out traditional jeepneys but to modernize the transportation system and upgrade units to comply with environmental and safety standards, he added.
    LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III said only 60 percent of the target number of vehicles for modernization have complied with the requirements so far. -- PNA