Thirteen major transport groups in the country have requested the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to limit the operation of modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) in selected routes in major urban areas in the country.

In a letter addressed to DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, the group also recommended the deployment of modern PUVs should also come with the full implementation of Automatic Fare Collection Systems (AFCS).

“Due to limited resources and route viability, we propose that the PUVMP be implemented only in selected routes in key cities where there is a high passenger demand for modern PUVs. Implementing PUVMP nationwide will result in lack of focus and a high probability of failure in routes that are not viable to start with,” the letterdated Oct. 25 read.

The letter was signed by leaders of the Pasang-Masda, Altodap, ACTO, Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CITRASCO), Alliance for Peace and Sustainable Development Transport Cooperative (APSDTC), South Metro Transport Cooperative, Modern Era Transport Corp., 997 Transport Cooperative, DCM Transport Service, Corp., San Dionisio Transport Cooperative, Taguig Transport Service Cooperative, Juan Transport Service Cooperative, and A. Roces Transport Coop., Inc.  

The groups actually recommended three proposals as the DOTr is currently reviewing the Amendment of the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines of Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization, which they said, for a more efficient implementation that would benefit both the transport sector and the commuters.  

The second proposal is the allocation of training funds to prepare consolidated groups to implement fleet management systems. 

“A better understanding of fleet management systems, allows consolidated groups to operate in a more effective and more efficient manner, resulting in bulk purchasing of fuel, parts, etc. using methods in economies of scale,” the letter read. 

The third is the full implementation of the AFCS in identified routes, where the modern PUV operators and the AFCS provider are both ready to implement AFCS. 

“AFCS is one key component of PUMP, but experience has shown us, if not implemented fully, where passengers in all modern PUVs operating in the route are required to pay thru AFCS, the migration from cash to card is painfully slow,” the groups said. 

“AFCS is  the cornerstone to move away from the boundary system and adopt a salary based system for drivers. And AFCS results in increased income by addressing the decades old problem of ‘kupit’. Thus, mandatory usage is a must for AFCS to succeed, otherwise, cash will still be the primary means of fare payment,” they added.  

Earlier, Bautista met with the transport groups and committed support to their concerns in further improving the PUV modernization. 

For her part, Undersecretary Anneli R. Lontok,  Undersecretary Philippine Railways Institute  and OIC-Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, said  all the recommendations of the transport groups will be included in the discussions.