LTFRB plans to phase out 15-year-old public utility jeeps

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will gradually phase out  public utility jeepneys that are at least 15 years old, LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said in an interview on "News to Go" on Monday.

However, Ginez said the agency has yet to finalize the conduct of the phaseout as it is still in the middle of consultation and dialogue with stakeholders.

"Ang amin pong inulit-ulit wala pang final decision on this matter. Nagkakaroon pa lamang po ng mga kaukulang konsultasyon at dialogue with stake holders," Ginez said.

Members of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations on Monday held a transport holiday to protest the plan.

According to the members of the transport group, they have yet to be consulted as regards the phaseout.

Ginez said the phaseout of the PUJs was part of the LTFRB's modernization program to ensure safe and convenient public transport for commuters.

The LTFRB earlier announced the phase out of school service units and trucks for hire that are also at least 15 years old.

“Unang-una, ito ay isang programa para sa modernization ng ating public transport vehicles. Alam naman natin na ang jeepneys natin. 'Yung ibang denomination gaya ng bus, taxi, UV, school service ay mayroon nang mandatory limit," Ginez said.

“Nararapat lamang na para sa safe, convenient, at comfortable ang ating public transport vehicles gaya ng jeepney. Napapanahon na ito,” he added.

The LTFRB is also looking at how to ensure that there are enough PUJs on the road.

“Kailangan natin ng mas efficient na mga sasakyan dahil ayon sa operators at drivers. Kapag luma na ang kanilang mga engines, napakaliit na rin ng kinikita dahil hindi na maganda ang turn out ng biyahe. Halimbawa, mas malaki ang nakokonsumo ng diesel," Ginez said.

The LTFRB said the phaseout was also meant to address the pollution caused by old engines. -Bianca Rose Dabu/NB, GMA News