Virus puts jeepney drivers' futures in flux

Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Posted at Jun 26 2020 12:19 PM | Updated as of Jun 26 2020 01:04 PM

More than 100 days after the coronavirus pandemic led to the suspension of all public transport in Metro Manila, jeepney drivers remain uncertain about their possible return to city roads.

On June 22, the government allowed the return of public utility vehicles, including modern jeepneys. Authorities, however, remain silent on the guidelines for the return of traditional jeepneys.

Not until certain jeepney associations threatened to abandon their units in front of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and just burn them did Malacanang say that traditional jeepneys would eventually be allowed back on the road, but coming in last in the priorities and subject to the units' road-worthiness.

The fate of almost 200,000 drivers and operators now hang in the balance as guidelines for what will be deemed "roadworthy" have yet to be released.

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Jeepney drivers at the Tandang Sora Jeepney Terminal, plying the Tandang Sora-Quezon City Hall route, ask for aid along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on June 25, 2020 as they resort to begging after three months of lockdown.Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Jeepney drivers living in UP Daang Tubo, servicing the Cubao-Rosario route ask for aid along C.P. Garcia Avenue in Quezon City on June 25, 2020, amid the general community quarantine.Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Jeepney drivers living around the Santa Cruz-Avenida area, mostly servicing the Monumento-Baclaran route ask for aid along Rizal Avenue in Manila on June 25, 2020, as the government continues to ban traditional jeeps from serving commuters. Mark Demayo,Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Jeepney drivers living around Sangandaan, servicing the Sangandaan-Divisoria route, ask for aid from passersby along A. Mabini Street in Caloocan City on June 25, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Jeepney drivers living in UP Daang Tubo, servicing the Cubao-Rosario route, ask for aid along C.P. Garcia Avenue in Quezon City on June 25, 2020.Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Jeepney drivers living around Barangay Katipunan in Quezon City, mostly servicing the Muñoz-Vito Cruz route, stand by for aid along Roosevelt in Quezon City on June 25, 2020, amid the general community quarantine.Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Read More: coronavirus covid19 lockdown general community quarantine jeepney drivers jobless unemployed