LTFRB to Phase Out 15-Year Old Jeepneys

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) plans to modernize the most common public utility vehicle – the jeepney.

Under the modernization program, jeepneys that are 15-year old and above will not be allowed on the streets anymore.

LTFRB said the program aims to lessen the overcrowded streets, and also to reduce  the number of accidents caused by old and defective vehicles.

Transport group Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations will stage a protest on Monday against the Jeepney Modernization program.

A report from GMA News’ “24 Oras” on Saturday said that according to ACTO, the modernization program will negatively impact their livelihood as most of the jeepney units they use will be phased out.

Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Jun Abaya said they are coordinating with various transport groups to explain how they can smoothly work out the implementation of the program.

Back in May 2015, The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and several Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) operators’ associations met to discuss a plan to modernize the most commonly used passenger utility vehicle in the country.

“The dialogue was requested by five jeepney operators’ associations to be able to present their proposals on how to modernize this sector of transportation,” DOTC spokesperson Michael Arthur Sacgal said.

“Since the DOTC has begun formulating a jeepney modernization program, we look forward to working together with these stakeholders, so we can come up with a collaborative and inclusive solution,” he added.

Industry groups present were the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap); Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (Acto); partylists 1-United TrAnsport Koalisyon (1-Utak); Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap); Liga ng mga Transportasyon at Operator sa Pilipinas (Ltop); and Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang Masda); while fleet managers from 1-Team, Comet and Filinvest represented the private sector.

/Mia Salazar/

 

Comments

comments