Filtered By: Topstories
News

Despite strike, other transport groups OK with jeepney modernization


Several transport groups have expressed their support to the government's jeepney modernization program amid the nationwide strike led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston).

A report by GMA News' Jun Veneracion on Unang Balita quoted Pasang Masda national president Obet Martin saying it was high time for the country to replace the current jeepneys to more modern and more efficient units.

"Doon sa modern jeepneys, nasa kanan na ang sakayan, nakakatayo sa loob, air-conditioned, may wifi may GPS, with everything, na magiging kumportable ang ating mga pasahero at ligtas," Martin said.

Philippine Confederation of Drivers and Operators—Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (PCDO-ACTO) national president Efren de Luna, meanwhile, said while they agree with modernizing their sector, the government should not require all jeepney operators to replace their units.

De Luna said the drivers must at least be given an option to rehabilitate their jeepneys and replace their engines to those compliant with industry standards.

"Magpalit lamang ng makina hindi yung buong jeep. Kasi kung maganda naman ang body mo, maganda naman ang chasis mo, i-rehabilitate mo lang yung sasakyan pagkatapos palitan mo lang ng brand-new na Euro 4 na diesel," he said.

However, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) spokesperson Atty. Aileen Lizada said rehabilitating a dilapidated unit does not mean it has already complied with standards on modernizing jeepneys.

"Karamihan d'yan mga luma na ang jeepneys na ito, 1970's, 1980s, 1960s pa. Ang iba nag-rehabilitate but it doesn't mean na you are modernized, you are only rehabilitated," Lizada said.

Piston opposes the modernization program calling it a jeepney phaseout plan that would require the purchase of newer, more expensive models.

The LTFRB has pegged the price tag for the modern jeepneys between P1.2 million to P1.6 million per unit.

Under the payment system, jeepney drivers can use their old units as downpayment on top of the P80,000 worth of government subsidy. Drivers can also pay for the unit for a seven-year period.

The Department of Trade and Industry recently rolled out the design blueprint of the modern jeepney with its prototypes ready for pilot-testing by January next year. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/MDM, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT