TACLOBAN CITY – The regional branch of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced that 94 percent of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Eastern Visayas have joined the PUV modernization program.
Veronica Reposar, Chief of the LTFRB 8 (Eastern Visayas) transportation development office, stated on Wednesday that the region stands as one of the country's leaders in terms of consolidation. This consolidation ensures a sufficient number of PUV units to cater to commuters across various routes.
Reposar reassured that all towns have operators affiliated with consolidated entities, mitigating the likelihood of a transport crisis in any part of the region. Although some areas still employ traditional PUVs, they are mandated to obtain provisional authority from the LTFRB.
Out of the 3,692 registered PUVs in the region, approximately 3,480 units, including over 700 modern buses and jeepneys, have consolidated since the launch of the program by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in 2017 until the close of December 2023.
In the current year, the LTFRB will only permit the operation of consolidated traditional PUV units with provisional authority. The consolidation process involves the establishment of transport cooperatives or other legal entities, entitling them to benefits like government subsidies and access to credit facilities to facilitate the modernization of their fleets and ensure systematic and predictable operations.
Acknowledging the financial challenges faced by small operators in acquiring expensive modern units, Josue Laudenio, a 20-year veteran in the transport business, expressed a willingness to comply. Laudenio, leading a transport cooperative in the city with 30 members, highlighted the significant cost disparity between old jeepneys (PHP200,000 per unit) and more affordable modern ones (PHP1.4 million).
Reposar admitted that some operators are yet to secure loans from government banks to purchase modern vehicles, pending the completion of local government units' local public transport route plans (LPTRP). The LPTRP outlines a detailed route network, specific transportation modes, and the required number of units per mode for providing land transport services, serving as the basis for minimum requirements for PUV franchise issuance.
The PUV modernization program aims to enhance the public transport system in the country, making commuting and transportation operations more dignified, humane, and aligned with global standards. The program's broader goals include providing a safer, more efficient, reliable, convenient, affordable, climate-friendly, and environmentally sustainable transportation system in the country. (PNA)
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