Duterte’s deadline to modernize jeeps “expression of urgency”: LTFRB

October 19, 2017

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) told a congressional committee Thursday that a deadline by President  Rodrigo Duterte to remove old jeepneys on January 1 2018 was  just an "expression of urgency".

“I’d like to put this in context insofar as the way I understand the president. He has spoken firmly, or if I may say strongly, in favor of the modernization program. That’s how I understand it, the expression of a date is an expression of urgency insofar as having to push this as firmly as we can,” said LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra.

Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate asked Delgra : "What is really the overall long-term program of this administration other than selling modern jeepneys that is very expensive [to our drivers]?" .

Delgra explained that the "pilot testing" of modern jeepneys will start in January 2018 and limited to Metro Manila. He did not give a timeline when this will be done nationwide.

The government insists no phase out will take place as jeepneys older than 15 years will be replaced with electric-powered and Euro 4-compliant vehicles that cost around P1.4 million to P1.6 million per unit.

Jeepney operator Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON), which led a nationwide transport strike Monday and Tuesday and other transport groups said the program will mean many jeepney drivers will lost their livelihood and minimum fare will increase from the current P20.

Duterte has given jeep operators and drivers until the end of the year to  modernize their decades-old vehicles. DMS