Metro Manila’s public transportation faces a looming crisis as 50% of its jeepneys might be classified as ‘colorum’ (operating illegally) starting February 1, 2024. This alarming situation arises from the jeepney operators’ failure to meet the consolidation deadline set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
As of the deadline on December 31, 2023, only 21,655 out of 42,177 jeepney units, or about 51%, had completed the consolidation process. This leaves 20,522 units unconsolidated. LTFRB Chairman Attorney Teofilo Guadiz III warned that these non-consolidated units would be apprehended, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
In response, the LTFRB has encouraged jeepney operators to join or form a cooperative before the extended deadline on January 31, 2024. This move is crucial for operators to continue their services legally.
Meanwhile, the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) has assured the public that fares in modern jeepneys will not exceed P30. OTC Chairman Andy Ortega highlighted that fare increases would undergo proper hearings. He also shared financial insights, revealing that some cooperatives earn about P8,000 per unit daily, sufficient to cover the bank loans for newer vehicles, excluding government subsidies.
The OTC is investigating cases where jeepney drivers have had their vehicles held by the cooperative they joined. The jeepney modernization program, which includes the consolidation into cooperatives, aims to improve the efficiency and safety of public transportation in the Philippines.
As the February deadline approaches, the situation remains critical for thousands of jeepney operators and drivers, with potential impacts on public transportation availability and the livelihoods of those involved.