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Andrew Ronquillo - The Philippine Star
March 31, 2026 | 12:00am
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes and General Manager Nicolas Torre III meet with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Vigor Mendoza II and representatives from public utility vehicle (PUV) companies to discuss draft guidelines for a proposed carpooling program.
STAR / Miguel de Guzman
MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday proposed a point-to-point and time-restricted carpooling after the Lenten break.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the transport scheme would operate differently to deter competition with jeepneys, buses and UV Express.
“We don’t want this to be a license to legitimize colorum vehicles. Those with franchises will suffer,” Artes said.
The proposed guidelines will allow private car owners to register their vehicles for carpooling. Companies may set up shuttle services for their workers.
Carpooling vehicles will operate at designated origin and destination points, Artes said.
“They are not allowed to operate like a public transport vehicle that picks up passengers along the way. There should only be one pick-up and drop-off point,” he explained.
The number of trips will also be limited per time slot: one trip between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and another between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Gabriel Martinez of the National Federation of UV Express said the group trusts the implementing agencies, but if the policy is loosely implemented, carpooling vehicles may compete with public utility vehicles.
“They could end up overlapping with the existing routes of UV Express drivers. Earning P200 is already difficult as it is because of the soaring diesel prices,” Martinez said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said fare collection per trip would not be allowed, but authorities may consider a cost-recovery basis for the service operations.
The MMDA aims to finalize the guidelines within the week. Special permits for carpooling vehicles will be issued next week.
Artes said the measure is meant to ease commuter burdens due to rising fuel prices. Transport authorities will study the expansion of its implementation outside Metro Manila after the energy crisis.
“It’s not permanent. It will only be in place while we have a problem. Once things normalize, the LTFRB and the DOTr will decide whether to extend the program,” Artes said.
