Glitches in a QR code system required under a government transport program are causing delays in modern jeepney operations in parts of the Ilocos Region, transport groups said.

Nearly two weeks into the implementation of the service contracting program, some transport cooperatives reported difficulties in uploading and scanning QR codes used to monitor trips.

Jessie Quiroz, president of the Alliance of Modernized Transport in Region 1, raised safety concerns over the use of third-party QR applications by drivers.

“This is unsafe sa ating mga drivers at pasahero dahil tumitingin ang mga drivers sa kanilang cellphone, which is a violation of anti-distractive law sa driving,” Quiroz said.

In the Ilocos Region, around 500 modern jeepney units are operating, with about 381 coming from Pangasinan.

Dispatcher Areilito Agas of BAMACADA Transport Cooperative said technical issues have disrupted their operations.

“Ang nangyari kaninang umaga, hindi kami makapag-upload dahil hindi kaya ng scanner namin. Ang nagiging problema namin ngayon na panibago, ‘yung network siguro sa dami ng nag-a-upload,” Agas said.

Due to slow connectivity, some trips have been delayed, affecting passengers waiting at terminals.

“Tulad nito, dapat paalis na ‘yung isa eh pag dumating ‘yung isa, uunahin ko din ‘yun. Hanggat hindi nai-upload ‘yung QR, matetengga muna ito,” he added.

Quiroz said the system’s glitches have made it difficult for operators to maintain regular trips.

“It's very difficult. There's a lot of glitches especially sa mga area na hindi ka makapag-upload, hindi makaalis ‘yung sasakyan dahil nasasayangan sila sa biyahe despite giving them the 20 to 40 percent discount,” he said.

Transport groups also said they have yet to receive payouts for the first cutoff under the program, despite earlier assurances from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The LTFRB has yet to issue a statement on the reported issues, as of press time.