OVER 1,000 modern public utility vehicles (MPUV) have been deployed in Central Visayas under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB 7) Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said on Friday, July 1, 2022, that majority of the 1,195 modern jeepneys are now plying Cebu’s streets.

Duterte stepped down from the presidency at nune of June 30, 2022, as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took his oath as the country’s 17th president.

Montealto said when he assumed his post as LTFRB 7 director in August 2018, not one modern jeepney was operating in the region.

He commended Duterte’s administration for providing over 1,000 MPUV units in just four years to help address lack of transportation in the country.

Only 2K traditional jeeps left

Montealto said Central Visayas had 6,000 traditional jeepneys before, but the number was reduced to 2,232 after the PUVMP program was launched.

He said the government had given operators who gave up their old units for the modern jeepneys P160,000.

The LTFRB 7 chief also told SunStar Cebu Friday, July 1, that the base fare for traditional jeepneys in the country is now P11, while P13 is set for modern jeepneys.

This came after the LTFRB Central Office approved the P2 provisional increase in fare nationwide. (PAC / LMY)