Motoring Today Column

Apr 19, 2023

The present administration has apparently raised the white flag in the fight to rid the streets of decrepit traditional jeepneys.

That's the only read one can make of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista being quoted in news reports as saying traditional jeepneys can continue plying present routes until 2028 as long as they are roadworthy.

Bautista said that as long as their engines, brakes, and seats are in good condition, traditional jeepneys can be allowed to continue plying routes.

DOTr's top honcho is still talking about encouraging jeepney drivers and operators consolidating with cooperatives and companies to benefit from incentives and loan packages to modernize.

The deadline for consolidation is December 31, 2023. But Bautista saying the DOTr will continue to dialogue with different organization about consolidation is telling.

What is there to talk about except perhaps another extension? And already, the DOTr is talking about roadworthy traditional jeepneys being allowed to operate until 2028.

Earlier reports said DOTr counts only around 6,000 of 200,000 jeepneys have been modernized, while only 60 percent have been consolidated.

The DOTr and its line agencies the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board don't have a good track record when it comes to ensuring roadworthiness of old jeepneys.

Past administrations have bent over backwards in setting and enforcing standards for roadworthiness of public utility vehicles, especially of PUJs. Just ask private vehicle owners about seeming double standards.

The present administration hasn't done much to disabuse motorists about this perception.

The cockroach is said to be one species that will survive a nuclear holocaust. The traditional jeepney looks to survive all efforts to modernize mass transportation.

More Railways

Many expect traditional jeepneys will still be around even with more light rail transit lines crisscrossing Metro Manila.

Already the DOTr is reported to be considering two unsolicited proposals to add to the four light rail transit lines already operating in Metro Manila.

According to reports quoting DOTr Secretary Bautista, one proposal seeks to establish a metro rail transit line running from Monument in Caloocan to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

Another proposal calls for establishing an overhead railway line following the length of the C-5.

While Bautista did not reveal details of the unsolicited proposals, published news reports identified two rail projects listed by the Public-Private Partnership (PPC) Center.

One is an unsolicited proposal calling for the construction of an elevated railway system from EDSA in Balintawak to San del Monte in Bulacan, passing through Novaliches and Caloocan City, with a link to the LRT-1.

Another is a proposal calling for the establishment of an elevated light rail service from NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City mostly running on C-5.

Indications are these and other proposals and initiatives to build more railway systems will push through, especially with foreign funding agencies openly expressing support for such projects.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency in particular is eager to help the country build more railway systems, including in Metro Manila.

JICA chief representative in the Philippines indicated in news reports that Metro Manila should have more commuter railway lines.

He is quoted as saying Metro Manila is as large as Tokyo and with a bigger popular but only has four railway lines.

Tokyo has scores of railway subway and elevated lines.

Driving Schools

While the DOTr appears to be soft on jeepney drivers and operators, it is hard on private driving schools.

Despite calls for a review of the new omnibus guidelines for accrediting and regulating private driving schools, the Land Transportation Office is steadfast in implementing the new rules and a cap in fees beginning April 15, 2023.

The new guidelines place a cap on fees , P3,500 for motorcycles and P5,000 for light vehicles.

The new guidelines also sets fines and penalties for violations of the new guidelines, starting from P50,000 and six-month suspension for first offense, P100,00 and one year-suspension for second offense to revocation of accreditation for the third offense.

LTO chief JayArt Tugade also announced the lifting of a moratorium on the applications for new private driving schools.

Tugade also reminded the public that the LTO district and branch offices offer theoretical driving courses for free.

Summer Test Drive

Please catch the Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival presented by Caltex Philippines in cooperation with SM Offices and SM Mall of Asia Complex taking place on May 4 to 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

The annual event brings together in one venue the country's biggest and best brands to showcase and provide test drives of their local lineup of vehicle.

Already confirmed to participate in the festival are, in alphabetical order, Ford, GAC, GWM, Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and WM.

Happy Motoring!!!

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