Transport group leader warns of higher jeepney fare if old units phased out

A transport group leader on Sunday warned that fares for public utility jeepneys would increase to at least P12 if the government pushes through with its plan to phase out old jeepney units.

In a radio dzBB interview, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) national president George San Mateo claimed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has agreed to the fare adjustment with potential e-jeepney operators.

"Kapag napatupad 'yan, yung pamasahe po tataas. In fact, may pahayag ang LTFRB doon sa mga operator na kukuha ng mga mamahaling electric na jeepney, papayagan nila na magtaas ng pamasahe hanggang P12," San Mateo said.

San Mateo noted that additional fares would burden the riding public, especially those who patronize jeepneys on a daily basis, including students.

He said the LTFRB has been silent on the fare increase.

"Napansin n'yo yung LTFRB silent sa usapin na yun ah? Nangangahulugan po 'yan ng pagtaas ng pamasahe. Bakit po? Milyones po ang halaga ng mga 'yan tapos korporasyon ang magpapatakbo," San Mateo said.

"Itong mga korporasyon na 'to na siyang papalit sa mga may-ari at magkucontrol dito sa mga bagong sasakyan na 'to, babawiin nila sa mabilis na panahon yung kanilang in-invest dyan sa mga mamahaling sasakyan na 'yan," he added.

Under the draft order of the Department of Transportation, jeepney units 15 years and older should be replaced by cleaner and more fuel-efficient units.

Jeepney operators are also required to have at least 20 units and market capitalization of at least P7 million for a franchise to be issued.

San Mateo said PISTON and the No To Jeepney Phase Out Coalition had long called on the government to rehabilitate jeepney units instead since small operators would struggle to comply with the new requirements.

He said one e-jeepney unit costs P1.6 million.

"Sabi natin pwede naman natin i-rehabilitate, i-refurbish at i-upgrade itong ating mga kasalukyan na jeepneys. Pinagpipilitan nila yung 15-year-old model phase out nila," San Mateo said.

Transport strike

Meanwhile, San Mateo said the planned protest caravan of PISTON and No To Jeepney Phase Out Coalition members will proceed on Monday morning around 7 a.m.

Aside from Metro Manila, San Mateo said their members will also hold protest caravans in several areas in Cagayan, Isabela, Laguna, Albay, Bacolod City, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Capiz, Davao, General Santos, Butuan City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

He said participants will march from Elliptical Road to the main office of the LTFRB in East Avenue, Quezon City and then to the DOTr office in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

More than 1,000 jeepney operators and drivers are expected to participate, according to San Mateo.

"Expected natin na hindi bababa sa at least 1,000 operator at mga driver, at hinihikayat nga namin na isama yung mga pamilya nila at syempre dala yung kanilang mga sasakyan sa protest caravan bukas," he said. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News