Crackdown on Colorum Jeepneys to Begin on May 1
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is
prepared to implement a crackdown on colorum jeepneys starting on May 1.
According to news reports, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said that after
April 30 deadline, all individual PUV jeepney franchises that have failed
to begin the process to consolidate into cooperative or corporations will
be considered colorum.
Guadiz said that unless the President extends the April 30 deadline, those
that have not complied with consolidation will no longer be allowed to
operate.
The LTFRB reports that at least 79 percent of PUVs nationwide have complied
with the consolidation mandate to participate in the Public Utility Vehicle
Modernization Program of the government.
Guadiz warned that beginning May 1, colorum PUV units plying routes will be
impounded and their drivers will have their licenses confiscated and
suspended for one year.
The month of April should see more of the usual back and forth
pronouncements from jeepney groups opposing consolidation and what they
fear is their eventual phaseout, and transport authorities again sounding
steadfast about enforcing deadlines and achieving the objectives of
modernization. Will this be the last month that we'll see this game?