PUV modernization leads to loss of income - jeepney drivers

Jeepney drivers who have consolidated as part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) claim they lost income due to the expensive cost and maintenance of the modernized jeepney, according to a “24 Oras” report by Joseph Morong on Thursday.

Following a transport strike held by transport groups PISTON and MANIBELA this week to protest the December 31 enlistment deadline for modernized public utility vehicles, jeepney driver Nelson Canlas stated that he couldn’t keep up with the dues he had to pay.

To pay for 2 modern jeepneys worth P2.6 Million each that he purchased in 2021, Nelson said that he has to shell out P52,000 every month, which he says is insufficient given the small income from his short driving routes.

 “Four months pa lang, nagmaintenance na kami ng aircon. Tapos, pagdating ng 6 months, sumabog yung gulong. Walong buwan, fan belt naman. Kaya talo yung kita,” said Canlas.

(In just 4 months, I paid for aircon maintenance. After 6 months the wheels blew out. On the 8th month I had to repair the fan belt. It’s a loss of income.)

MANIBELA has demanded the return of the old franchising system that allowed individual drivers to file their own 5-year license and the extension or removal of the December 31 enlistment deadline.

Despite the protests, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reiterated that they will be issuing no more extensions.

They also added that some franchises may still be allowed to take their routes past the deadline provided that no cooperative takes over.

“[Papayag kami] para lang hindi magsuffer yung public. Pag merong pumasok na kooperatiba sa route na tinatatakbuhan mo, you may lose the franchise,” said LTFRB chairman Attorney Teofilo Guadiz.

(We would agree so that the public shouldn’t suffer. But if a cooperative enters a route you’re plying, you may lose the franchise.)

The LTFRB said they remain open for drivers who wish to hold their own franchise while being a member of the cooperative, and that drivers only need to state that they wanted to consolidate so as not lose their franchise.
 

Meanwhile, commuters experienced difficulties over the past week due to the transport strike launched by members of PISTON and MANIBELA, who are set to end their strike by Friday.—Jiselle Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News