The problem here is the proposition that jeepneys can be modernized. The absurdity is that the government thinks it can. The tragedy is jeepney drivers and operators and the government think that the jeepneys that ply our streets are the best mode of transportation for the present and next century.
The government-contemplated jeepney modernization is simplistic. It does not consider the financial capacity of drivers, driver-operators, and operators. When the government mandated modernization, it should have established a financing mechanism that drivers could avail of to make the program attractive.
Years back, a religious foundation in Davao City set up financing assistance to help drivers own a passenger jeepney. The foundation purchased seven units and turned these over to the first seven drivers randomly chosen from their list. The no-interest financing scheme was quite affordable. Sadly though, after seven amortizations the recipients stopped paying. An unscrupulous lawyer advised them to cease paying, after all, the units were already registered in their names. The swindle stopped what could have been continuing financial assistance for the next batch of drivers.
I am citing here an example of how driver-operators behave and how government and non-government organizations can help. In the current scenario, modernization is a consummation devoutly wished for by government regulators but extremely impossible to achieve. The present fleet of aging jeepneys is capitalized or has intrinsic value. These are assets that cannot just be parked and, in their stead, a “modern” unit will be procured as prescribed by the government.
The transport strike waged by some groups of drivers and operators was ill-advised although I think it was encouraged by communist ideologues. They could have just continued plying the streets. The regulators could have just allowed them to operate for as long as their franchises remained in force.
If the government intends to modernize transport then it either has to compete or encourage other modern modes of transportation operated by private firms.
Maybe it’s time the government through DoTr considers rail vehicles like trams. Trams travel on railway tracks on city streets and can carry a lot more passengers than several “modern jeepneys” can. Give passengers the option of which to ride — a comfortable and faster means of transport or a cramped “modern jeepney.” Let us see which one will be phased out.
In Davao City today, about 90 percent of the passenger vehicles are called “multi-cabs.” These tiny units were actually salvaged from the graveyards of used vehicles in Japan and smuggled in through the southern ports. The steering wheels were on the right but ingenious Pinoys in Panabo, Tagum, and Kidapawan cities reconfigured these, transferring the steering wheels to the left. Of course, this is illegal but the LTFRB and LTO registered the vehicles and issued them franchises to operate. For what and for how many reasons? I don’t know.
Now Davao City will be the first to migrate from jeepneys to buses. Then-Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, now Vice President, had set the migration in motion except that Covid-19 got in the way of its implementation. The shift to a better mode of transportation will not displace the drivers of the multi-cabs, which are virtual rolling coffins, as they will be gainfully employed under this modern urban bus system.
The city government planners describe the radical transition of the transport system as follows:
“(1) The implementation of the bus operation concession arrangement with the engagement of private bus operators through performance-based contracts; (2) rationalization of bus routes of about 670 km into about 30 routes; (3) procurement of approximately 1,100 electric and diesel buses; (4) construction of about 1,000 bus stops with shelters; (5) construction of five bus depots, three bus terminals, and a bus driving school; (6) implementation of minor road improvements; and (7) establishment of an intelligent transport system.”
There were several trial runs involving a few buses but Covid halted this. With the pandemic restrictions lifted, we expect this system to come to fruition soon.