The Philippine government is eyeing an ambitious 4-5 year plan to shift majority of Philippine jeepneys into modernized vehicles.

Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Transportation Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said elements of the Land Transportation Office, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Philippine National Police can now check jeepneys that have refused to consolidate under the government’s public utility vehicle modernization plan past the April 30 deadline. 

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Jeepneys that have no consolidation papers will be given a show-cause memo for possible franchise revocation, which could be resolved in 1-3 weeks.

Drivers who use colorum jeepneys could also see their licenses revoked or suspended for a year. 

"Kung ikaw ay operator na hindi nag-consolidate alam mo na hindi ka dapat sa kalye, hindi dapat pumapasada dahil ang pinaka-mabigat pag nahuli, malaki ang penalty. May revocation pa ng driver’s (license) or suspension for a year and other penalties starting today or tomorrow," the transport official said.

Ortega said that after consolidation, local governments must start route rationalization that will limit the number of PUVs per route.

“That will take 2 years. After 2 years, doon pa lang papasok yung obligasyon ng mga kooperatiba na mag-modernize. It will take another 27 months,” Ortega said.

“At the average, We are looking at 4 to 5 years bago masabi na majority ay modern vehicles. ‘Yung mga traditional jeepney makikita pa rin sa daan depende sa bilis ng route rationalization,” he added. 

Several public transport groups have opposed the government phaseout of jeepneys, saying that buying the modernized vehicles will bury them in debt. 

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Under the modernization plan, cooperatives will be able to access bank financing and receive a government subsidy of between P200,000 and P300,000 per vehicle to ease the financial burden of the transition.