The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is now working with local government units (LGUs) across the country in laying down the necessary measures to assist commuters as the government shifts to the next phase of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) after the Dec. 31 deadline for consolidation of jeepney drivers and operators.
That shift is called the Route Rationalization, which serves as the second phase of the PUVMP after jeepney operators and drivers are expected to consolidate into either a cooperative or corporation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dec. 27, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), said that after the Dec. 31 deadline for consolidation, all consolidated units will continue to operate on their existing routes and wil be allowed to apply for Special Permits on routes without consolidation.
The rule is based on the LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2023-052.
The LTFRB is expecting around 154,000 PUVs to consolidate into either a corporation or a cooperative by Dec. 31 this year. The figure represents 70 percent of the PUVs across the country.
Citing its data, the DOTr said that all major routes or thoroughfares are now being operated by consolidated transport groups in Metro Manila alone.
Secondary routes, on the other hand, without consolidated entities wil be served by other modes of Public Transport, according to the statement.
Based on the November data released by the DOTr, around 54 percent of PUVs in the Visayas have already consolidated while 64 percent of PUVs in Mindanao did the same.
For the entire Luzon, the condolidation rate was 62 percent as of November.
What’s route rationalization?
The route rationalization, according to the LTFRB, is a study that aims to provide rationalized and efficiently planned routes that would be responsive to the demands of the passenger.
“It is a comprehensive and strategic assessment of the current public transport based on passenger demand, location of major movement and future travel demand patterns,” the agency said.
It added that the rationalization studies are for the inter-regional, inter-provincial (IRIP) and the Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study (MMUTIS) Update and Capacity Enhancement Project (MUCEP) Area.
The MUCEP area pertains to NCR and nearby provinces of Region 3 and Region 4A as part of the “Greater Metro Manila”.
The Inter-regional/inter-provincial Route Rationalization Study’s (IRIP) scope will cover all IRIP routes terminating at MUCEP cities as well as all IRIP routes between Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, CAR and CARAGA.
DILG, LGU assistance
The LTFRB is also coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for route rationalization in order to ensure that by Jan. 1, 2024, sufficient number of PUVs are expected ot continue plying their routes.
The LTFRB has been warning the PUV drivers and operators of the consequences if they would not yield to the consolidation requirement of the PUVMP, including the cancellation of franchise and rejection of motor vehicle registration at the Land Transportation Office.
At least two major transport groups launched transport strikes since November to call for the cancellation of the Dec. 31 deadline but President Marcos himself insisted that the consolidation deadline will remain.
“LGUs will continue to assist LTFRB in planning the local routes according to the passenger demand and required PUV units," the DOTr statement read.
"LGUs will also assist the LTFRB and DOTr after the December 31, 2023 deadline in the implementation of PUVMP in their jurisdiction particularly ensuring the adequate supply of PUV services,” it added.