LTFRB extends franchise of ‘traditional’ jeepneys

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday, February 6, 2023, announced that it has decided to extend the validity of the franchises of traditional passenger jeepneys nationwide.

According to LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, the decision was reached to give operators and drivers more time to form cooperatives for the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and “to ensure that no one will be left behind.”

Guadiz said the board took into consideration the possibility of a transportation shortage should the government implement the deadline, which was supposed to end by March nationwide, except for Metro Manila where these franchises were valid until the end of April.

The LTFRB noted that based on its assessment, only 60 percent have so far joined the PUV modernization program. The agency likewise has not specified the total number of targeted jeepneys.

The extension would mean that thousands of jeepney drivers will be allowed to continue plying their routes until the LTFRB decides on a final deadline.

The extension will likewise give drivers and operators more time to join or form cooperatives, which is required under the PUV modernization program.

“We do not want to leave anybody behind, so what we want is to have at least 95 percent on board if we’ll continue this PUV modernization program,” Guadiz said.

Guadiz added that during their meeting, he said they will discuss the possibility of the full implementation of the program in areas where all jeepneys have already been modernize, while in areas that there are still to be modernized, the LTFRB would stick on traditional jeepneys.

Guadiz also acknowledged that there had been some disagreement among jeepney drivers regarding the consolidation of their routes and cooperatives, adding that the board was looking into the possibility of allowing two to three cooperatives per route.

Another option, he said, was to extend the deadline so that they could comply with the regulations of the PUV modernization program.

“I instructed all regional directors to guide our jeepney drivers about the ways on how to comply,” Guadiz said.