‘Roadworthy’ traditional jeepneys may be allowed to operate —Palace

Old jeepneys that are still roadworthy may be allowed to operate if modern units are not enough to serve commuters, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the matter is still being studied by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“Maaaring payagan ng LTFRB ang traditional jeepneys, provided they are roadworthy,” he said in a televised briefing.

Jeepney drivers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic have appealed to the government to allow them to resume operations.

Metro Manila shifted to a more relaxed general community quarantine on June 1 but public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) or jeepneys, and UV Express will only be allowed to operate on a limited capacity beginning June 22.

“Ang ating istratehiya sa pampublikong transportasyon ay calibrated, partial, and in phases,” Roque said.

“Mayroon po tayong tinatawag na hierarchy of transport modes. Nasa dulo po ang traditional PUJs [public utility jeepneys], ang prayoridad po, ang mga bus, tapos modern PUVs, tapos jeepneys, and tricycles,” he said.—AOL, GMA News