More drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) can now join the government's Service Contracting scheme after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) launched a website that will expedite the process of registration for the subsidy program.
LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III led the launching of the agency's PUV Service Contracting Program website which aims to provide a swift registration process for PUV drivers who want to earn additional income.
Delgra said eligible to register under the program are drivers of traditional and modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs), as well public utility buses (PUBs) whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the pandemic.
During the launching of the website on Friday, Sakay.ph Director for Logistics and Partnership Brian Cu discussed the step-by-step process of joining the program through the website.
The service contracting program website was developed by the LTFRB with the systems manager of Sakay.ph, the agency added.
“After they completed their registration, we have their contact information. On the admin side, we can see there who signed up and what steps did they miss,” Cu said.
“We will support it with our call-out team who will call our applicants to guide them so they can complete their registration,” he added.
Aside from the website, a Commuter's Feedback button was also enabled in the Sakay.ph mobile app.
With this new feature, Sakay.ph CEO Philip Cheang said commuters are free to express their opinions on their experience with the service of drivers under the Service Contracting program to help improve the country's transportation system.
“You can actually rate your experience riding this jeepney. On your feedback, you can give a 1 to 5-star rating, plus you can check if the driver's behavior is good, the vehicle is well-maintained or clean or he practices social distancing. You can add any additional comments and click submit,” Chaeng added.
The LTFRB said thatthrough this feedback feature, they will know the different experiences of the riding public which can be the basis for the performance-based subsidy given to the drivers.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, through DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark Pastos lauded this new development which, he said, would assure satisfactory service of drivers under the Service Contracting scheme.
At least 60,000 PUV drivers are expected to benefit from the Service Contracting Program which aims to aid in their everyday operational expenses such as gasoline, boundary, and other expenses to help them abide by the “quarantine protocols.”
Some P5.58 billion funding has been allotted for its implementation under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or the “Bayanihan 2.”
Under this, the government through the Department of Transportation and LTFRB will provide pay outs for public transportation services where PUV operators and drivers will be given a performance-based subsidy according to vehicle-kilometer traveled and compliance with performance indicators.
Different rates per kilometer have been set by the Board for each kind of PUVs. Drivers or operators of traditional and modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will get P11 per kilometer while drivers or operators of passenger buses will get P23.10 per kilometer, the LTFRB said.