The city government has begun devising a master plan for public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization to decongest traffic here.

In a statement Tuesday, Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) chief Nonito Oclarit said the initiative is to align the traffic plan to the transport modernization program of the national government.

“When the deadline of Land Transportation Office (LTO) of phasing out old public jeepneys in December will be realized, expect an influx of modern vehicles will come in,” he said.

Oclarit said the transport modernization plan will provide a uniform schedule for the operation of PUVs around the city.

This is to address the clamor of the public, especially workers, who were forced to ride motorcycles or rickshaws as an alternative during rush hours, he added.

Damian Sibayan, a public transport specialist, said the implementation of the PUV modernization plan will include the deployment of Euro 4 standard vehicles or minibuses.

Oclarit said the city’s transport master plan is consistent with the implementation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Memorandum Circular 2020-036, which bans motorcycle PUVs on major national highways and city streets. (PNA)