BAGUIO CITY — Baguio is preparing a sweeping overhaul of its public transport system that promises more reliable rides, wider route coverage and stable incomes for drivers, but local transport groups are warning that modernization must not come at the cost of livelihoods.

Jeepneys have long been a workhorse of daily commuting across the Philippines, and Baguio's plan lands amid a broader national debate over how — and at whose expense — the vehicles should be modernized.

Under the proposed pilot covering Baguio, La Trinidad and Tuba, routes would be redesigned around commuter demand, service would be extended to underserved communities, and existing routes would be bundled into six to eight packages spanning the city and its two neighboring Benguet municipalities. Transport enterprises would operate under performance-based contracts with the city.

The scheme follows a gross-cost model under which operators would be paid according to vehicle-kilometers traveled rather than relying mainly on passenger fares — a shift from the prevailing setup in which drivers' earnings depend largely on the fares they collect each day. The approach aims to curb cutthroat competition and make less profitable feeder routes viable, with payments tied to punctuality, safety and service reliability.

Transport groups, however, have challenged the city's route-rationalization process. The Baguio-Benguet Movement Against Jeepney Phaseout and Piston Metro Baguio criticized the lack of meaningful consultation, warning that route consolidation could displace drivers, reduce livelihood opportunities and favor larger businesses. They called for a more democratic planning process that includes drivers, operators and commuters.

The groups have also pushed for alternatives to a one-size-fits-all modernization policy. In Baguio, jeepney leaders have called for government subsidies of at least P1 million per driver and proposed retrofitting existing units with cleaner engines to ease the cost of replacing vehicles.

National transport groups have likewise urged financial assistance and a phased rollout, with modernization prioritized on financially viable routes while traditional jeepneys remain an option on routes unable to support new units.

The proposed Baguio model would give drivers regular shifts and predictable pay, while digital ticketing and GPS monitoring would track service delivery. Scrappage incentives, monthly dividends for surrendered units and lease-to-own financing for modern or electric vehicles are also being considered.

These safeguards, however, would need clear funding, enforceable guarantees and transparent rules to win operators' trust. The central challenge is to modernize public transport without forcing drivers to shoulder the costs.

Whether the pilot succeeds will depend not only on better routes and cleaner vehicles, but also on meaningful consultation, affordable financing and a credible transition plan for the workers who keep Baguio moving. The near-term markers to watch are procedural: whether consultation with drivers, operators and commuters is broadened, how the six to eight route packages are awarded, and where funding for the proposed subsidies and incentives is secured.

— Artemio A. Dumlao

Source: BusinessWorld