Thousands of public utility vehicles (PUVs) across the Philippines are set to operate under the government’s expanded Service Contracting Program (SCP) beginning Monday, April 20, in a bid to improve commuter experience while ensuring stable income for transport workers.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the development during a recent news forum, noting that participation is expected to surge after a modest initial rollout last week.
“We are expecting by Monday, makakaasa tayo na over 19,000 na jeepneys—modern, traditional—and UV Express, kasama na rin ang EDSA Busway natin ang nakapasok na sa program at mararamdaman na rin ng ating mga commuters,” Lopez stated.
The SCP is a government subsidy initiative that compensates operators and drivers based on distance traveled rather than passenger count, ensuring predictable income.
Participating units must implement a 20% fare discount for all commuters, in addition to existing discounts for senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The program’s first phase is backed by a ₱1 billion budget, with ₱800 million allocated for road transport and ₱200 million for maritime services. Operators will receive fixed payments per kilometer:
- ₱100 for buses
- ₱40 for modern jeepneys and UV Express units
- ₱30 for traditional jeepneys
Participating vehicles will run five days a week across 823 routes nationwide, with 545 routes concentrated in Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
The Department of Transportation said the program prioritizes “filler routes” that link commuters to major transport hubs, including railway stations.
For the EDSA Busway, the SCP is expected to support 50 operators and 500 bus units, serving an estimated 300,000 passengers daily—a significant boost to urban mobility.
Secretary Lopez emphasized that the initiative seeks to balance the welfare of both transport providers and commuters:
“Ang kagandahan dito sa net service contracting, hindi lamang kita ng mga operators at drivers ang atin tinutugunan. Tinutugunan din natin ang ating mga commuters. We included a fare discount of 20%,” he added.