MRT hours extended; jeepneys allowed back

(UPDATE) THE government has extended the operating hours of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) System indefinitely and will allow unconsolidated jeepney drivers to resume operations, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said Thursday, saying the administration was looking out for the interests of commuters and drivers alike. Dizon's move to allow unconsolidated jeepney drivers to ply their routes again was a complete reversal of the government's earlier policy to phase out old, diesel-powered vehicles that failed to meet pollution standards. "I will ensure that, importantly, you can operate legally," Dizon told members of a transport group that opposed the government's public utility vehicle modernization program. "The decision for you to return is there." The Department of Transportation chief stressed the importance of their transportation and livelihood, which he said, should not be taken away from them. "We are talking about the livelihood of our drivers and operators here. We are playing with people's lives. We cannot simply say we will stop that, we will not allow that," he added. This new direction came after the deadline for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUVs) passed. Launched in 2017, the Public Transport Modernization Program — formerly the PUV Modernization Program — sought to phase out old jeepneys and replace them with Euro 4-compliant vehicles to reduce pollution. It also mandated the consolidation of individual franchises into cooperatives or corporations as a requisite to operate. Dizon earlier said some 86 percent of PUV had applied for consolidation as the initial part of the modernization program, but only 40 percent have been approved. Meanwhile, Dizon also announced that the government extended the operating hours of the MRT "indefinitely" after successfully completing a two-week pilot test of its extended operations. The MRT's operating hours were extended to 11 p.m. in March to accommodate commuters working various shifts in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. "This is for passenger welfare. We want to make commuting public lives' easier... That's the easiest [way], increasing the operating hours by two hours, that would be a big deal in terms of reducing lines of passengers," Dizon said at the time. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier said the administration was seeking a "win-win" solution for commuters and drivers, aiming for accessible transportation and sustained livelihoods. "Our only request, and Secretary Vince Dizon's request, is that the Manibela leadership first talk to us because let's remember, it's not just the government that can have... well, the impact is not just on the government but on the commuters themselves. Let's remember, the commuters are innocent and are just caught in the middle," Castro said in an earlier press briefing Castro said the government would study the figures related to the approved consolidation of PUVs and encourage more jeepney operators and drivers to adopt a pro-consumer, pro-jeepney operator approach. "We will encourage that everything that happens is in favor of commuters and also in favor of jeepney operators and drivers. We should all have a win-win solution," she said.