Jeepney Consolidation Deadline Is Moved to April 30
Palace approved a three-month extension.
(SPOT.ph) Upon the recommendation Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, the Palace has granted a three-month extension to the deadline for jeepney drivers to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations. This new deadline, now set for April 30, 2024, is a chance for those who were unable to meet the original cutoff date, which had already lapsed on December 31, 2023.
The Presidential Communications Office said in a statement on Wednesday, January 24: "President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista’s recommendation, granting an additional three months until April 30, 2024, for the consolidation of public utility vehicles."
"This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cutoff," it added.
Prior to this development, unconsolidated jeepneys and UV Express units were allowed to operate only until January 31, 2024. This meant that nearly 2,000 jeepneys and UV Express routes were at the risk of being discontinued by February 1. Unconsolidated jeepneys still plying the streets after the deadline will be considered as "colorum," and will be apprehended and impounded.
Status of the Jeepney Consolidation
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board reported that over 73% of jeepneys nationwide had managed to consolidate by the previous deadline, although the figure stood at just 51% for Metro Manila.
The PUV Modernization Program, which has been a contentious issue among transport groups, aims to phase out older jeepneys in favor of modern e-jeeps and minibuses. However, the cost of these new vehicles, which can reach up to P2 million per unit, has been a significant barrier for many operators. This is on top of the cooperative fee of P300,000 and a per-jeepney fee of P20,000.
In light of the extension, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III urged jeepney operators and drivers “to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the President" for them to consolidate.