Modern jeepneys are here. But VP Leni asks, “What about traditional jeepney drivers?”

This week marks the start of phase 2 of the Department of Transport’s revival of public transport. This spells good news for commuters, who now have more options with modern jeepneys and buses plying the roads. But for traditional jeepney drivers, the trouble continues. This is why Vice President Leni Robredo is urging the government not to phase out the original kings of the road.

In her weekly radio show “BISErbisyong Leni,” Robredo clarified that she is not against the modernization effort, but is thinking more about the welfare of the traditional jeep drivers who are already taking a huge hit from the pandemic.

According to IBON Foundation, the current jeepney ban has cost drivers P78,000 in lost income over the last three months. This is expected to get worse as the ban continues.

Robredo said pushing jeepney modernization will further burden drivers as the cost to switch is in the millions of pesos while government subsidy, according to a Philippine News Agency article is only about five percent.

“If you would insist on modernization, which people cannot do at this time, and you would not allow them to work, then you are favoring the people who already have them [modernized jeepneys]. Those who have none would be on the losing end. What we should do is to help those who have none, so that they could catch up,” Robredo said.

“What about jeepney drivers who are struggling to pay for the installment of their jeepneys? Others have not even completed their payments, then you would do this… It’s like stepping on people who have already fallen down.”

[READ: The reason why there are no jeeps on the road is not just safety protocols—which they’ve instituted BTW]

President Emeritus of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) George San Mateo in a Facebook post, expressed his gratitude to Robredo saying, “Maraming salamat, Vice-President Leni Robredo sa inyong panawagan sa gobyernong Duterte na wag i-phase out ang jeep at ibalik sa pasada ang ating mga kapatid na jeepney drivers at maliliit na individual jeepney operators na lagpas tatlong buwan nang walang kabuhayan.”

Yesterday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved 34 modern jeepneys routes in NCR. Operational today are the following 15 routes: