Fixed Salaries for Jeepney Drivers, Why Not

A local transport group seeks to change the current “boundary system” for public utility jeepneys (PUJ), wherein drivers pay a set amount to their operators, into a fixed monthly salary model.

The 1-United Transport Koalisyon Alliance (1-UTAK) pushes to change this system, as it aims to distribute 10,000 “beep-jeeps” in three years.

1-UTAK Chairman Vigor Mendoza said that their group is the first to implement a fleet management system using Euro-4 compliant diesel engines, as mandated by the Department of Transportation’s public utility vehicle modernization program.

Mendoza explains that a total of 200 beep-jeeps are now operating in Cebu, Iloilo, Baguio, Marikina, and Quezon City under a fleet management system, wherein the jeepneys operate under garages with mechanics and dispatchers.

In the system they’re implementing, drivers can earn up to ₱32,000 every month, but they have to undergo strict training and testing, which includes values formation seminars and surprise drug tests.

Mendoza explains that at least six million passengers will benefit from the full deployment of their target.

He adds that based on social media posts, passengers who rode beep-jeeps gave positive reviews, most notably on the attitude of drivers.

This bid to move into a monthly salary-based system for drivers is seen as a positive departure from the current boundary system, where operators do not care what their drivers do, as long as they pay the required boundary (or payment to the operator for a day’s worth of driving).

This leads to drivers employing reckless behavior and blatantly disobeying traffic rules in order to get more passengers to “hit” their boundary.

1-UTAK to file petition to review minimum fare rates

Meanwhile, 1-UTAK also said that they will file a petition for certiorari, if the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will not bring back the minimum commuter fare for jeepneys at ₱10.

LTFRB Executive Director Samuel Jardin denied calls from jeepney operators and drivers, saying that they will only increase the fare if the price of diesel reaches ₱46 per liter.

This does not sit well with Mendoza and other transport groups, as diesel prices hover at around ₱43 per liter.

via Philippine Star / Paolo Romero, Emmanuel Tupas