Jeepney phase-out postponement an ‘initial victory’ for operators, drivers —PISTON

Transport group PISTON on Thursday celebrated the decision of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to postpone the phase-out of all old jeepneys, saying this is an initial victory for drivers, operators and commuters.

DOTr announced it will give operators, who would not be able to replace their units before the July 2020 deadline, a one-year allowance to operate but only if their old units are tested road-worthy.

This permission or provisional authority (PA) can be renewed annually as long as the old jeepney units qualify for road-worthiness.

“Inisyal na tagumpay ang nakamit ng mga driver, operator at commuter sa pag-atras ng DOTr sa total PUV phase-out pagdating ng Hunyo 30, 2020,” PISTON said in a statement.

“Sa pahayag ng DOTr kahapon, papayagan nang makapanatili ang mga PUV na papasa sa roadworthiness test kaiba sa dating patakaran na zero PUV sa Hulyo 2020,” it added.

Launched in 2017, the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) aims to replace around 170,000 old jeepneys with new modern units by July 1, 2020.

With the new policy, old jeepneys that fail to comply with the road-worthiness standard by the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) will not be permitted to operate.

PISTON said that the new policy is still tied to a fake modernization program.

All jeepney operators are still required to apply for consolidation of a fleet by July 2020, DOTr clarified. Under the PUVMP, operators of the same route should establish a fleet under a cooperative.

“Walang forever na PA. Basically, kahit na roadworthy sila (old units) at pumasa sa MVIS, they still need to file petition for consolidation and express their intent to modernize (drop and substitute),” DOTR said.

“If not, then their routes will be opened up to new operators. If they don’t file petition and they don’t modernize, cancelled na ang PA nila,” it added.

In a statement on Thursday, the DOTr reiterated that the PUVMP would still push through amid the postponement of the planned total phaseout of jeepneys by 2020. 

PISTON said, “Kinakailangan na ipagpatuloy ang laban para kamtin ang ganap na pagbasura sa pekeng modernization program.”

“Patuloy nating ipaglaban ang pangmasang transportasyon na tutugon sa hiling ng mga driver at operator sa rehabilitasyon hindi phase-out, at hiling ng mga commuter sa ligtas at abot-kayang transportasyon,” it added. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News