Deadline extended for AUV conversion

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has extended until Feb. 6, 2006 the franchise conversion deadline for vehicles under the "AUV Express" program that allows them to pick up and drop off passengers from terminal to terminal in Metro Manila.

The extension was given after the LTFRB, led by Chairwoman Elena Bautista, held a meeting yesterday at the bureau’s main office in Quezon City.

"The LTFRB will give Phase 1 of the AUV  Express conversion for school buses, shuttle service vehicles, garage vehicles, vehicles for hire, aircon jeepneys and Filcabs an additional one month," Bautista said.

"Simultaneous to this, we shall start the conversion of Mega Taxis."

Bautista said all qualified AUVs can still convert their franchise, but will be fined P250 as penalty for the late registration.

Last Friday, the LTFRB started cancelling the franchise of 4,700 AUVs operating as taxis after they failed to meet the deadline for conversion. Bautista said all unauthorized AUVs plying routes in Metro Manila would be apprehended.

Only 250 units met the deadline for conversion under Phase 1 of the program, which seeks to legitimize all franchises and weed out "colorum" units.

Under the AUV Express, the LTFRB plans to eliminate the "ulo-ulo" system, or the charging of fares per head since AUV operators are prohibited to load and unload passengers in between terminals.

There are about 6,300 AUVs and vans planning to convert to AUV Express in Metro Manila from illegal "jeepney-style" of operations to "point-to-point" passenger pickup and drop off service.

The conversion of a franchise reportedly costs P30,000.

Phase 2 involves the conversion of some 8,000 Mega Taxis to AUV Express. The target  is the full rationalization of AUV Express service in Metro Manila before the school opening on June 6.

Bautista said Mega Taxi operators should wait for pre-qualifying letters to be mailed to them before they can apply for conversion. The LTFRB will be screening franchises sending out invitations.

She said that once AUV conversion is complete, the LTFRB will open at least 135 new routes under the AUV Express.

For years, bus operators and jeepney operators have complained about FX taxis, which pick up passengers on their routes.