THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it would issue special permits to allow public utility vehicles (PUVs) to ply in routes without consolidated jeepneys.
“’Pag talagang walang dumadaan, we issue what we call special permits. Normally we get the jeeps from the neighboring routes kung saan katabi nung walang nag-consolidate,” LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz said.
The LTFRB earlier said that all major routes or thoroughfares in the National Capital Region will be operated by consolidated transport groups while secondary routes without consolidated entities will be served by other modes of public transport like buses and tricycles.
According to the agency, 81 percent or more than 160,000 jeepneys have consolidated their franchises. The number is enough to serve commuters in the country, it added.
LTFRB has also started issuing show-cause orders to those who did not consolidate to explain their failure to comply with the government’s deadline. Affected drivers and operators will be given five days to respond.
Authorities might also start flagging down “colorum” vehicles by the third or fourth week of May. (GP)
