By Alexandria Dennise San Juan
At least 3,000 modern passenger jeepneys are expected to ply the roads nationwide after some transport groups pledged to come out with new units within the coming months to support the government's modernization program.
Several transport groups and vehicle manufacturing companies nationwide have committed to the Department of Transportation that they will come out with more than 3,000 modern jeepney units during the recent memorandum of agreements (MOA) signing at the Land Transportation Office in Quezon City.
Modern jeepneys (PNA/MANILA BULLETIN)
Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport Tim Orbos, who led the ceremony, said the "commuting experience of the public would gradually be improved in the next few months due to the commitments of the transport groups and cooperatives to replace their old and dilapidated jeepneys with modern ones."
Orbos also said the new jeepneys which are compliant to the government's modernization program will arrive within the next three to six months.
He also assured that they are rolling out assistance to transport groups to ease the requirements in getting financing to replace their units.
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Delgra said they are currently processing the local public transport route plans needed to issue franchises to various transport operators.
During the MOA signing, a private transport supplier committed to deliver 20,000 new PUVs per year while another supplier pledged to help operators in the processing of the financing requirements and roll out the modern units.
Transport groups Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) and Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers’ Association of the Philippines (Altodap) also signed a MOA with Eco Dyip Inc. for fleet management and replacement of units.
Meanwhile, MCCI Connection Transport Services Corporation sealed an MOA with 17 transport organizations for fleet consolidation and supply of new PUV units.
Under the said agreement, the transport groups will enroll their members to cooperatives or cooperatives for fleet consolidation to gain better access to resources, share operations and maintenance costs and maximize profits thru efficient vehicle dispatch.
The PUVMP will replace jeepney units that are 15 years old with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs. These will also be equipped with closed-circuit television cameras, a GPS navigation system, an Automatic Fare Collection System, speed limiters, dashboard cameras, and Wi-Fi.
Some transport organizations and cooperatives attended the event were Green Earth Transport Services Cooperative, Sta. Ana Service Cooperative, MJOTS Cooperative, Compadres Tourist and Transport Services, Manila West Transport Cooperative, Neco GSIS Cooperative, CRMT Cooperative, Jam Liner, Philtranco, Pasang Masda, ITCD Corporation, David Motor, Luzviminda NTF, and OTC. (With a report from PNA)