LTFRB to phase out old PUJs

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is now studying what age to require for the phase out of public utility jeepneys.

The initial plan is to allow jeepneys to run only if they are below 15 years old from the date of their first registration.

“This is still a plan for jeepneys kasi other PUVs meron nang specific age as to when sila ma-phase-out. Ang jeepney na lang ang wala pa. So, we are studying the age limit, maybe 15 years old,” said Chairman Jaime Jacob of the LTFRB National Office.

Jacob was in Cebu to attend the LTFRB’s 4th Quarter National Conference.

He said that by January next year, there will be several vans-for-hire or V-hire, that will not be allowed to run because these are already 13-year-olds.

Majority of the V-hires that will be affected are mostly in Metro Manila.

Ahmed Cuizon, LTFRB-7 regional director, in a separate interview said that there are V-hires in Cebu that will be affected but the number is minimal.

Cuizon explained that here in Cebu, V-hire operators normally change their units before reaching the age requirement for a V-hire.

“Kay kung ilahang V-hire unit before reaching the age of 13 years ilaha nang ilisan og bag-o otherwise ma-expire ang ilang franchise. As we all know, there is a moratorium on the issuance of franchise for bus, taxi, V-hire and jeepney,” Cuizon added.

Jacob explained that putting an age limit for a public vehicle to operate is meant for the safety of both passengers and the drivers.

“Dahil kung masyado nang luma ang sasakyan, chances are marami na siyang sira. So kailangan talagang palitan for the safety of everybody,” Jacob added.

To date, taxi units should only operate for 13 years while there’s a 15 year-limit for buses.  (FREEMAN)