PUJ operator given options

PUBLIC Utility Jeepney (PUJ) operators in the region will be given options by the Land Transportation Office – Cordillera Administrative Region (LTO – CAR) in acquiring new units once modernization plans of the government pushes through.

Francis Rey Almora, LTO – CAR regional director explained their agency’s presentation of the PUV modernization program is done on a macro level because of the need to integrate the national program to the regional level of implementation.

“On the consolidation, federations and operators are given until the end of the year to consolidate their operation. It’s true that the changes in prices of units has something to do with the imported components which has a relationship with our foreign exchange or the value of the peso as to the money where the unit will come from,” Almora said.

The transport modernization program calls for the phasing

out of jeepneys, buses and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) that are at least 15 – years – old and replacing them with safer, more comfortable and more environmentally – friendly alternatives over the next three years.

“Under the subsidy of our government, the government indicated the increase in the subsidy from P80,000 to P160,000. Which is why the subsidy is still there and what our department is looking for is the stockage of the present units because under this, the price of old units will have an increase in value that will be used for the acquisition of new units,” Almora stated.

LTO – CAR clarified that jeepney federations and operators are given the opportunity to select from various models having various prices that would be suitable for their capabilities in acquiring modern units.

“There are other models of new units that the federation and operators can choose from which is why it is not only a single price on units that we are talking about but various prices for various models where consolidated operators on what model and prices of modernized jeeps that you can choose from,” Almora added.

The program is being pushed under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration spearheaded by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

Photo by Neil Clark Ongchangco MODERNIZED PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES. The Cordillera Basic Sectors Transport Cooperative (CSBTC) acquired 15 units of Euro 4 compliant vehicles for the Baguio Plaza - Aurora Hill and Baguio Plaza - Trancoville route. The vehicles will roll out once the operator completes the required paperwork at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Photo by JJ Landingin CORPORATE TAKE OVER. Piston members in Baguio City march to air their sentiments against the jeepney modernization saying it will affect their livelihood and the riding public due to the cost of modernized jeeps.