DOTr rolls out ‘modern’ jeepneys

MANILA, Philippines — Despite heavy rains, Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials pushed through with the deployment of 150 “modern” public utility jeepneys (PUJs) at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila yesterday.

Undersecretary for Roads Tomas Orbos said they are looking to have at least 2,000 modern jeepneys plying Metro Manila’s roads by yearend. 

Orbos said they have to face backlog issues on the administrative front, such as issuing new franchises. 

With the deployment of the modern jeepneys, he said this would push the public to clamor for better services from the PUJ sector and encourage more operators to modernize.

The public utility vehicle modernization program, the largest non-infrastructure program of the Duterte administration, is still facing opposition from some transport groups that have tagged it as anti-poor.

Some groups are pushing for the rehabilitation of their old jeepneys instead of the acquisition of new units that could cost up to P1.6 million, payable over seven years.

The DOTr is looking to replace all PUJs aged 15 years and older, which opposition groups said is another term for a jeepney phaseout. 

The government has opted to provide incentives, such as a higher fare rates, for modern jeepneys. 

The program was launched in Tacloban City, Leyte in January. 

In Metro Manila, there are now three routes with modern jeepneys, namely those operated by the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative, Taguig Transport Service Coop and the Pateros-Fort Boni Transport Coop.