LTFRB: Nationwide Transport Strike Fails To Paralyze Public Transport
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
(LTFRB) said Tuesday’s transport strike by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga
Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) has failed to paralyze public transport.
LTFRB stated out of the 74 vehicles that were deployed, 13
were only used to serve 580 passengers out of an estimated 10 million jeepney
riders.
“Still, this means that only less than 1 percent of the
jeepney ridership were affected by today’s transport strike,” LTFRB board
member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada said in a text message to reporters.
During the first day of the transport strike on Monday, 23
vehicles were used to assist 1,140 stranded commuters.
The LTFRB has also monitored that there are no reported
transport strikes in Ilocos, Cagayan, Bicol, Visayas, Zamboanga, SOCCKSARGEN
and Cordillera regions.
The Board is eyeing to file charges against PISTON National
President George San Mateo for urging jeepney operators and drivers not to
provide their services to commuters.
“PISTON President San Mateo must be held into account for
the actions done by the transport group during the strike,” said Lizada.
The LTFRB has recently filed charges against San Mateo for
violating Commonwealth Act No. 146 known as the Public Service Act before the
Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
The PISTON leader allegedly encouraged jeepney operators not
to provide rides to commuters in defiance of the government during its
transport strike last February.
PISTON National President George Mateo has stated that they
are seeking for a dialogue with President Rodrigo Duterte on the PUV
Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Furthermore, the Board is set to cancel the franchises of
jeepney operators that participated in the two day transport strike.
The transport group is asking the government to put on hold
the implementation of the program to pave way for a review of its guidelines.
“We are asking specifically for a framework that will enable
a nationalized, efficient and affordable public transportation system in the
country. The government should not modernize public transport in favor of large
companies and monopolies as this would lead to the disenfranchisement of
jeepney operators and drivers,” PISTON national president George San Mateo said
in a television interview.
The DOTr and LTFRB issued a statement asking for support of
the PUVMP as they reiterated that the program aims to ensure an efficient,
safe, comfortable, PWD friendly and environmentally sustainable mode of
transportation to commuters.
They called on PISTON to have a discussion with them on the
benefits of the modernization program.
Under the PUV Modernization Program, jeepney units that are
15 years old will be replaced with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered
engines with solar panels for roofs.
These will also be equipped with closed-circuit television
(CCTV) cameras, a GPS navigation system, an Automatic Fare Collection System
(AFCS), speed limiters, dashboard cameras, and Wi-Fi.
Watch the video report below via ANC:
Source: Philippine News Agency
Watch the video report below via ANC:
Source: Philippine News Agency
LTFRB: Nationwide Transport Strike Fails To Paralyze Public Transport
Reviewed by Yen
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October 18, 2017
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