Rather than completely stop operating, some public jeepney drivers decided to reduce their trips after failing to join or form a transport cooperative.
Abner Salisod, a jeepney driver, said on Thursday, May 16, that he only made two trips in order to buy food for his family.
"Baka mahuli tayo. Yung gobyerno parang pinatay niya yung pamilya ko, dinoble niya yung kaldero ng pamilya ko," Salisod told DZRH.
"Saan ko kukunin yung baon ng mga anak ko? Yung mga pangkain, saan ko kukunin? Sana bigyan kami ng ayuda ng gobyerno. Kawawa naman kaming mga driver," he added.
Rolex Alvarez, a 65-year-old PUJ driver, laments that his operator failed to form a transport cooperative due to a lack of units.
"Gusto 10, ilan na lang kami, lima na lang kami," explained Alvarez.
Meanwhile, A PUJ operator also cited the same reason for his failure to comply with the public utility vehicle consolidation before the April 30 deadline.
"Gusto nung naglalakad ay 10 units. Ilan lang ang sumama? Lima. Ayaw tanggapin," Sabili said.
In fear of paying a fine if caught by enforcers of the Land Transportation Office, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Philippine National Police, the operator decided to stop operations.
"May para sa bigas pa naman. After two to three days, wala ng bigas," he said.
After the 15-day grace period from the April 30 deadline lapsed, authorities started their crackdown on PUVs that continue to operate even after failing to comply with the consolidation requirement of the Public Transport Modernization Program.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said that drivers of unconsolidated PUVs who continue to operate will face a one-year suspension, while the operator will have to pay a Php 50,000.
The LTFRB will also impound the vehicle for 30 days.
