Jeepney shortages in some routes during rush hour amid PUVMP — group

Transport group Pasang Masda on Thursday said jeepney shortages were reported in some routes amid the implementation of the government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

"Iyan kasi ang mga pangyayari ngayon sa mga ruta, may mga pagkakataon during rush hour, talaga nagkakaroon tayo ng shortage sa sasakyan," Pasang Masda president Obet Martin said in an interview during a public briefing.

(That's what is happening on the routes today, there are times during rush hour, we actually have a shortage of public utility vehicles.)

"Ang mga modelong sasakyan naman ay hindi pa halos nakukumpleto dito sa [National Capital Region]. Inaamin naman natin 'yan sapagkat on process na 'yung consolidation nila," he added.

(The rollout of the new recommended vehicle models is not yet nearly completed here in NCR. We admit that because their consolidation is on process.)

Martin said drivers and operators who complied with the PUVMP do not have to immediately buy the new recommended model of vehicles because routes should be organized first.

"Ibig sabihin, kapag nag-consolidate kayo, hindi naman outright, magpa-purchase ka na ng bago. Kailangan muna maayos ang ruta na 'yan. Magkaroon ng fleet management, proper dispatching of units, pina-practice natin sila, mga coops at korporasyon," he said.

(It means that when you consolidate, it's not outright that you have to purchase a new one. That route needs to be organized first. Have a fleet management, proper dispatching of units, we have to train coops and corporations.)

Pasang Masda is among the transport groups which supported the PUVMP, now called the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

Around 81.11% or 155,513 of 191,730 PUV units have been consolidated into cooperatives or corporations as of May, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). A total of 36,217 PUVs remained unconsolidated.

For routes, 74.32% or 7,077 of 9,522 have been consolidated while 2,445 routes remained unconsolidated, the DOTr said.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the modernization program.

Initially, the LTFRB had said that PUVs that did not consolidate after the April 30 deadline would be deemed as "colorum," or a PUV operating without a franchise.

However, LTFRB has allowed unconsolidated jeepneys and UV Express to operate in over 2,500 routes with a low number of consolidations.

Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are no longer considered roadworthy.

A modern jeepney unit costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

In a proposed Senate resolution, 22 of the 23 senators recently urged the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the PUVMP.

The lawmakers cited concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, phaseout of the iconic jeepney design "in favor of so-called modern jeepneys," and low percentage of approved routes, among others.

However, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that he disagreed the senators' view that the implementation of the modernization program was rushed. — VDV, GMA Integrated News