Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) — Authorities have set the record straight: unconsolidated jeepneys can continue operating until the end of the month, but what happens after Jan. 31?
“Yung mga hindi nag-consolidate na operators, [operators who did not consolidate]… can still ply their route,” Andy Ortega, head of the Office of Transport Cooperatives, told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Wednesday.
Ortega said the 30-day period will allow the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to follow due process for those who did not comply with the Dec. 31 consolidation deadline, adding that franchise cancellation should be properly documented.
“They’ll be given a show cause order…Once you give an answer, ie-evaluate ‘yun and then ang final noon [that will be evaluated and then final] is a decision wherein LTFRB will have to cancel or revoke your franchise dahil hindi ka nag-consolidate [because you did not consolidate],” he said.
Ortega said the LTFRB requested for a few more days to process the papers of those who filed for consolidation at the last minute before a final count could be announced.
Beginning Feb. 1, all jeepney drivers and operators who were not able to consolidate would not be allowed to ply their routes anymore.
Ortega said the ideal rate of consolidation is 65%, but in areas with low rates he said special permits would be issued, allowing some drivers to operate outside their routes.
He said if a short route is part of a major one that has a high consolidation rate, members of the latter may provide services to commuters affected.
While other modes of transportation like tricycles are also available in other routes, Ortega said authorities would work fast to ensure a cooperative is assigned on every route to prevent commuters from having to pay higher fares.
