No extension of 3-year grace period – DOTr

By April 6, 2019Headlines, News

OLD JEEPNEYS PHASE OUT

LINGAYEN–There will be no more extension to the deadline for the phase out of old dilapidated and smoke-belching jeepneys commuting passengers beyond the three-year grace period given to drivers and operators nationwide.

This was underscored by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade amid another call by jeepney drivers and operators that the three-year grace period be made five years.

“The buck stops here,” Tugade stressed, reminding the petitioners that stretching the grace period to five years is already beyond the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The grace period expires two and a half years from now.  

The phase out of old, dilapidated and smoke-belching jeepneys is part of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) which was also pushed by previous administrations but failed.

 “Our difference with them is that we want to implement it,” Tugade intoned.  

DOTr Undersecretary Mark Richmund de Leon said the PUVMP is proceeding smoothly, citing the 4,000 units already approved by DOTr and the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

In addition, he said, 800 transport cooperatives were already accredited for the program and can now avail of loans from banks to buy new units.

Saying that PUVMP’s primary concern is the safety and comfort of the riding public, De Leon appealed to all sectors to support the modernization program of DOtr for it to succeed.

Tugade said the modern and digitally-operated Motor Vehicle Inspection System will determine the road worthiness of the vehicle.


It means that if the machines will indicate that the vehicle is no longer fit to run, it will be considered for phase out, he said. (Leonardo Micua)

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