Ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles, “all major routes or thoroughfares” in Metro Manila are now being operated by consolidated transport groups, the Department of Transportation said.
Secondary routes without consolidated entities, on the other hand, will be served by other modes of public transport, the DOTr said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said some 154,000 public utility vehicles or 70 percent of the total PUVs are expected to consolidate into a corporation or a cooperative by Dec. 31 across the country.
But while the nationwide data showed that only 30 percent of jeepney units have yet to comply, the number significantly increases in certain regions.
In Metro Manila, some 73.5 percent or 31,058 traditional jeepneys have yet to be consolidated ahead of the deadline.
At least 66 percent of jeepneys were not yet consolidated in Calabarzon and 63 percent in Zamboanga Peninsula.
The LTFRB cited the route rationalization study which was designed 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.
LTFRB said it is closely coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the route rationalization to ensure that by Jan. 1, 2024, there would be sufficient number of PUVs plying their routes.
It warned PUV drivers and operators who will resist the consolidation requirement of the PUV Modernization Program that their franchise may be canceled and their motor vehicle registration may be rejected.
“Local government units will continue to assist LTFRB in planning the local routes according to the passenger demand and required PUV units,” the DOTr said.
“The focus of the LTFRB under the PUVMP is the welfare of commuters so that come January 15, 2024, sufficient number of PUVs are expected to continue plying their routes, considering the ongoing application for consolidation of numerous transport groups trying ot beat the deadline,” it added.