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So How Much Can an Average Jeepney Driver Take Home Under the Eco PUV Program?

By Gerard
.
November 29, 2017

The Philippine government, specifically the Department of Transportation, Department of Trade and Industry, along with entities like the Truck Manufacturers Association, Philippine Parts Makers Association, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines, and the Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (ABMAP) have been pushing for the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

Also known as the Eco PUV, the said program aims to field brand-new jeepneys and other forms of public transport. The said move would greatly benefit the riding public as it would give them a safe, comfortable, and hopefully stress-free means of getting around.

Yet for all that it promises, many groups are still quite anxious about what the future holds for this program. More specifically, drivers and operators are skeptical about what the said program would do to their bottom line. They are of the opinion that it would leave them with nothing, more so a huge dent in their pocket even before they are able to pay off the loan.

This is more to the contrary, notes ABMAP. The said group computed the total cost of running the said jeepneys and revealed that it would be more beneficial to all. Under the current system the average gross venue of a jeepney driver would be around P4,000 a day. Take away about P1,000 for fuel, P600 for operator boundary or driver salary, and maintenance costs racking up P400. The driver would then be left with P2,000, working for roughly 16 to 18 hours a day.

With the proposed Eco PUV, however, costs would be cut significantly and drivers can take home more. Sure, driver salary and boundaries remain at P600. Yet fuel costs can now be pegged at a lower P570 a day. Maintenance costs can also be cut to only P100. All these are due to brand-new engines that require less maintenance. And the driver’s take-home pay? This would grow to P2,930 per day.

Moreover, the said system suggests that drivers only come out during rush hours, as this would give them more income and less fuel and energy wasted on trips that only service a minimum number of passengers (such as during off-peak hours). But while they would spend less time on the road, remember that the lower operating costs would offset this, still leaving them with the said higher pay.

The bottom line is that the Eco PUV program could mean a net monthly income of P76,180.. That’s P46,180 more than the current P30,000 taken home by the average jeepney driver. And with less hours, as well as stress to boot. And even if they set aside P20,000 per month to amortize their jeepney, they’d still be left with P56,180.

With the modern jeepneys, drivers and passengers are worn out less, prone to less pollution, and should get to their destination safely. Of course, the last item depends on how the driver behaves behind the wheel. But that’s another story for another day.

Will all this become a reality? Only time and the proper implementation of the Eco PUV program will tell.

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About the Author

Mr. Gerard Jude Castillo
Gerard has been a self-confessed car nut ever since he was a little boy. As a grown-up, he indulges in his passion by collecting toy cars (which he started since childhood) and reading up on the latest cars out there.  As Associate Editor, he will ensure that you get your fill of the latest cars in the market, as well as a load of automotive features.