Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the guidelines for the extension of operations of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) could be out as early as next week.
“Napagkasunduan ng Board na muli itong i-extend ang authority to operate (ng PUJ) at ang guidelines nito hopefully ay ilalabas by next week para sa kung ano yung susundin at kung kailan magsisimula at kung hanggang kailan yung extension,” LTFRB Technical Division chief Joel Bolano said Thursday.
[Translation: The Board has agreed to extend the authority of PUJs to operate, and the guidelines for this will hopefully be released by next week so the date to start and how long it would last will be known.]
The LTFRB said the extension would give drivers and operators more time to comply with the requirements needed for the modernization program.
However, no definite date has been given for the release of the guidelines.
On Monday, the LTFRB said it was considering a fourth extension of the franchise for traditional jeepneys and was working on the guidelines for the extension.
The jeepney modernization program was one of the priority programs of the Duterte administration, seeking to phase out dilapidated jeepneys and replace them with more modern, environment-friendly models. But the plan has met opposition from groups who say these newer vehicles would be too expensive for drivers and operators.
