Transport group to launch 'Euro 6' environment-friendly PUJs

MANILA – A transport group representing mostly jeepney drivers and operators is leading the launch of environmentally sound “modern jeepneys” to avert the looming phase-out of their sources of livelihood.

In an interview on Thursday, Orlando Marquez, president of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas Inc. (LTOP), said a limited quantity of “Euro 6” standards-compliant modern jeepneys are now locally available, thanks to a collaboration between his group and private sector investors.

Euro 6 refers to a set of limits for harmful exhaust emissions produced by virtually any vehicle powered by petrol or diesel engines.

Marquez said a soft launch of this new type of public utility jeepney (PUJ) will be held at the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) compound in Quezon City on Friday.

He said a bigger launch may soon take place at Malacañang, saying that replacing antiquated PUJs with environmentally friendly vehicles enjoys the full support of the Marcos administration.

“We (LTOP officers) were recently granted an audience by the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), and he assured us of his support for the transition to public utility vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and spew out less pollution,” he said in Filipino.

Marquez said only 26 Euro 6-compliant modern PUJs exist in the country today, with 22 having already been acquired by several jeepney operators, and the remaining four will be put up for display to encourage other transport operators to upgrade their fleet.

He said the available modern PUJs were built using new bodies but second-hand engines that were modernized by integrating new technologies developed by Filipino inventors.

Marquez said subsequent vehicles to be offered