P50 Jeepney Fare Possible, Commuters of the Philippines Group Says
The Commuters of the Philippines group said that a P50 jeepney fare is possible if the government replaces traditional jeepneys with modern PUVs.
According to the group, the possibility of jeepney fares reaching P50 has been raised if the government pushes through with replacing traditional jeepneys with modern Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs).
According to Julius Dalay, the chairperson of the group, the modernization efforts could greatly affect fares, primarily due to the increasing amortization costs associated with acquiring the new jeepneys.
Dalay expressed concern about the potential increase in jeepney fares, stating that reaching P50 would be a considerable burden for commuters.
He pointed out that such a fare would not be much different from the costs of riding buses, LRT, or MRT, emphasizing the challenges faced by the commuters who rely on affordable jeepney transportation.
“Hindi malabo na mag-P50 at kung mag P50 siyempre aray ‘yun. Ano na kaibahan mo sa bus, sa LRT o MRT. Lahat na lang nagtataasan. ‘Yun ang masakit sa bulsa lalo na yung jeep na inaasahan ng masa pagdating sa mura,” Dalay said.
The group’s chairperson explained the importance of timing and phasing in the implementation of PUV modernization, suggesting that while there is no opposition to adopting modern and updated modes of transportation.
The process should be carefully managed to reduce the impact on commuters.
Dalay also raised concerns about the potential consequences for employees, suggesting that some workers might consider changing jobs if the cost of commuting via jeepneys becomes too high.
In a previous report, a modern jeepney conductor assaulted by 3 barkers in Iloilo city
Additionally, individuals may find alternative modes of transportation, such as cycling, or seek employment opportunities that allow them to work from home.
The government has previously rejected calls from certain transport groups to extend the consolidation of franchises beyond the set deadline of December 31, 2023.
Despite this, jeepneys continue to operate, even those that have not undergone the consolidation process, following the consolidation deadline for PUVs.
