Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) remains firm that it sees no transport crisis in Metro Manila despite its data showing that over 300 routes have no consolidated entities.
READ: Hundreds of PUV routes still have no consolidated entities after deadline
In a media briefing on Friday, LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said it is mostly short-distance routes that have no consolidated entities. These can be covered by consolidated jeepneys plying longer distances but which also traverse the short routes.
“Wala kaming nakikita [transport] krisis at wala kaming napipintong [transport] krisis dahil yung mga ruta na nabakantihan, may iba pang modes of transportation na dumadaan,” Guadiz added.
[Translation: We do not see a transport crisis nor a threat of a transport crisis because there are other modes of transportation covering the routes with no consolidated entities.]
LTFRB National Capital Region Director Zona Tamayo assured the public that major thoroughfares in Metro Manila have consolidated entities to serve commuters.
Data from the LTFRB showed that more than 400 routes in Metro Manila have consolidated entities but a majority of these routes have below 60% consolidation.
Tamayo also said the final list of routes nationwide will be released by next week, as the previous data have duplicate routes where short-distance and long-distance routes overlap each other.
Consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUVs) is part of the controversial PUV modernization program.
Transport groups Manibela and PISTON have stood their ground against the program, citing its high cost for drivers and operations, and lack of thorough study.
They also said they are being coerced and pressured to join cooperatives.
Guadiz said the Transporation Department is open to dialogue with transport groups that are against the PUV modernization program. However, he reiterated that the deadline for the PUV consolidation will not be extended.
