MMDA Readies to Go After Colorum Jeepneys
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will help the Land
Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
Board to apprehend drivers of public utility vehicles with franchises that
remain unconsolidated beyond t he April 30 deadline.
This was indicated by MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes during a press
briefing with the April 30 slowly getting closer.
Artes said the MMDA would have discussion with other agencies to identify
routes where transport groups have not consolidated and where joint
operations can be undertaken to apprehend PUVs that should now be considered
as colorum operators.
The LTFRB earlier reported that as of March 80 percent of PUVs nationwide
have consolidated while repeating the warning that franchises of units that
have not consolidated would be revoked.
The deadline for consolidation was supposed to have been December 31, 2023,
but this was moved repeatedly upon instructions of the President.
The latest deadline-which is said to be the final one - is April 30, 2024.
We've seen final, final deadlines moved before in the face of protest
actions from the public transport sector. So we won't begin to expect
operations against colorum jeepneys anytime soon.