Wazzup Pilipinas!
In line with its efforts to provide a safe, comfortable, efficient and environment-friendly public transport, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will be conducting the Dispatch of Modern Public Transport Vehicles: Pasada Tungo sa Maunlad na Bansa tomorrow, July 20, 2018, at the Quirino Grandstand in Ermita, Manila.
Over 200 modern public utility jeepney (PUJ) units will be readily available for dispatch to operators with franchises validated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The modern jeepney conforms with the existing environmental and product standards set by the Bureau of Standards. It has side doors instead of rear doors, and a higher ceiling that allows for standing passengers, which translates to a higher carrying capacity. Emergency exits are mandated and some units will have provisions for differently-abled passengers, coupled with WiFi, GPS, CCTVs, dash camera, speed limiter and automatic fare collection system.
As compliance to the Clean Air Act of 1999, the modern jeepney will either have a Euro-4 compliant emission system or an electric-powered motor that will generate less pollution or none at all.
Class 1, 2, and 3 jeepneys will be available for dispatch. Class 1 will have 9 to 22 passenger capacity including the driver; Class 2 will carry 22 passengers and will allow for standing passengers to augment the driver’s income; Class 3 will likewise likewise have 22 passengers and above plus driver, but will be all seated.
DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, who will lead the modern jeepney dispatch with Usec. for Road Tim Orbos and LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, said the modernization of jeepneys is long overdue.
“Napapanahon nang magkaroon ang publiko ng hindi lang ligtas kundi komportable at kaaya-ayang pampublikong transportasyon. Kung kayoý papipiliin, saan niyo ba mas gustong sumakay: sa karag-karag na jeepney na itim na usok ang ibinubuga, o sa mas modernong jeep kung saan makauupo kayo ng komportable at batid ninyong ihahatid kayo sa inyong paroroonan nang ligtas at hindi nakadaragdag sa polusyon?” he said.
The transportation chief likewise mentioned that there are financing schemes available to operators and drivers to help them pay for the cost of the modern jeepneys. Undersecretary Tim Orbos explained the financing rates are affordable with a “5-6-7-80,000” formula, which stands for an easy down payment, very low interest rates, payability in seven years, and PhP80,000 government subsidy.
For his part, Usec. for Road Tim Orbos urged drivers and transport operators to be open to developments and embrace the PUV modernization.
“Para din naman ito sa ating lahat. Kailangan tayo ay pasulong at hindi paurong upang umunlad. Eventually everyone will get tired of riding the dilapidated jeepneys that are hazards on the road, because we all know we deserve better and there are better options out there. Hindi naman sila pababayaan ng gobyerno,” Usec. Orbos assured.
The DOTr plans to replace all public utility vehicles (PUV) aged 15 years or older under its PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).
The PUVMP was first launched in Tacloban City, Leyte, in January where it initially deployed 45 solar-powered jeepneys. In June, 15 out of 35 modern PUJ units of the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative were rolled out and started to ply the route of StarCity/CCP to PICC, GSIS/Senate to MOA to PITX and back. Just this week, two transport cooperatives launched their PUV Modernization Program-compliant jeepneys to ply new routes along Taguig and Pateros. The Taguig Transport Service Coop PUVs are plying the Bagumbayan (Taguig) to Pasig route via San Joaquin, while the Pateros-Fort Boni Transport Coop PUVs’ route is from Gate 3 of Fort Bonifacio to Guadalupe Market (ABC).
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
