PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) has reopened the application for public utility vehicle (PUV) consolidation under the Public Transport Modernization Program.

In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said it had issued an order allowing PUV operators and drivers to join existing cooperatives or form their own to operate in routes with similar entities.

Consolidation is a key component of the modernization program, which seeks to eventually replace traditional jeepneys with modern ones that have at least a Euro-4-compliant engine to cut pollution.

According to the Department Order No. 2025-009 dated May 6, it only covers public utility jeepney and UV Express operators who had secured a provisional authority but failed to consolidate, or those with pending applications.

All provisional authorities secured by unconsolidated entities will be valid for a year and must be renewed in line, it said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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