Transport groups slam jeep phaseout

JEEPNEY transport groups yesterday criticized stricter requirements for vehicle registration as an added burden to operators and drivers, amounting to phasing out an entire sector.

On Tuesday, Chairman Alberto Suansing, of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, said starting January 2010, the LTO would require jeepneys to have hand brakes, working speedometers, and wipers, among others, for safety purposes.

He said about half of the country’s estimated 400,000 jeepneys would likely be grounded, adding that only those who comply would be allowed to ply their routes.

“We would oppose that because it’s an added burden to us drivers and operators,” said George San Mateo, representing Piston (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide).

He said jeepneys—modified version of World War II US military GP (general purpose) vehicle—are assembled from surplus components without the accessories to lower cost of assembly.

“Maybe the LTO is dreaming that we are a first-world country. That is a good idea if our operators can afford that. I think that’s just another pretext for the phaseout of the jeepneys,” San Mateo told Standard Today.

He said the agency should improve its management services first before making new impositions on the operators and drivers.

“Why not focus first on providing enough traffic enforcers, in eradicating fixers, and most importantly, in removing colorum vehicles?”

Roberto Martin, national president of Pasang Masda, seconded San Mateo’s position.

“As far as I can remember, jeepneys are not equipped with hand brakes and speedometer,” he said.

“While we are not against the idea of upgrading and improving our public transport system, implementation of such requirement should be done gradually. We would seek a dialog with the LTO and LTFRB about this,” Martin added.

In a separate interview, ACTO (Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations) president Efren de Luna said his group, in principle, would go with the new LTO requirements.

“It is but proper for the LTO to impose those requirements, for safety not only of the commuters but also of the drivers,” De Luna said, adding that the enforcement should be made with caution given the calamity wrought by two recent storms.

“Maybe a five-month delay [in the implementation] is enough. And during that time, the LTO and LTFRB should also conduct information campaign so that everyone concerned know what is expected of them before they register their vehicles,” De Luna said.

According to Suansing, jeepney owners failing to comply with the new rules should think of buying brand-new replacements, including a micro-bus jointly produced by Almazora Motors and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines called Beep (Bus-jeep).

The whopping P1.6 million cost of Beep is pipe dream, according to Martin.

He said operators would most likely opt to buy a brand-new GP of the war relic type for about P400,000 and safety features to boot. –Rey Pelovello, Manila Standard Today