LTFRB: Commuters to feel PUV cuts by January but no transport crisis

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29) — Commuters will have to brace for fewer public utility vehicles (PUV) at the start of the new year, the government said, as it will take time to fill the gaps which would be left by unconsolidated PUV operators.

It assured the public, however, that there will be no transportation crisis.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday said the Dec. 31 consolidation deadline under the government’s PUV modernization program will not be extended.

“Yung difference, medyo sasaluhin muna ng ating passengers. And we know that. Kaya rest assured pabibilisin namin [yung pag release ng special permits] para eventually, we would not feel that difference for a very long time,” Office of Transportation Cooperatives chairman Andy Ortega told reporters.

[Translation: The passengers will feel the difference. We know that. That is why, rest assured, that we will expedite the release of special permits so that eventually, we would not feel the difference for a very long time.]

LTFRB National Capital Region Director Zona Tamayo said the agency will release the list of unconsolidated PUVs that have been granted special permits by the first week of 2024, which will be in effect until Jan. 31.

This is to address the demand of commuters, especially on major thoroughfares.

“In our major thoroughfare, we have seen that there are consolidated entities already kaya isa rin ‘yan sa dahilan kung bakit natin sinasabi na hindi magkakaroon ng transportation crisis,” LTFRB member Mercy Paras-Leynes said.

[Translation: In our major thoroughfare, we have seen that there are consolidated entities already. That is also one the reasons why we're saying that there will be no transportation crisis.]

She added that other modes of transportation like taxis and buses are available to commuters.