There have been an equal number of traditional jeepneys and UV Express services consolidated under cooperatives and corporations since February 2022, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRB) announced.
In an interview with the reporters, LTFB announced that only 64.4% have started consolidating wherein government claims that this action will "help" drivers and operators buy "modern" PUV units, which can cost up to P2.8 million each.
According to LTFRB, the percentage was based on the number of consolidated franchises over the Distribution of Land Transportation Services (DLTS) as of December 2022.
For Public Utility Jeeps, 100,349 out of 158,281 units (63.4%) and 3,245 out of 7,149 routes (45.4%) have consolidated while UV Express numbering 12,484 out of 19,932 units (72.7%) and 657 out of 1,008 routes (65.2%) have consolidated.
These percentages are still far from the target of the Department of Transportation by December 31, 2023, which is 80-90%, with many at risk of not meeting the December 31 deadline as part of the state's PUV modernization program.
Meanwhile, some of the members of the transport group Manibela have set a protest at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24 regarding the 'sneaky' jeepney phaseout being implemented by the government.
