MANILA — Transport group Piston warned that the government’s refusal to restore five-year franchises for public utility vehicles (PUVs) is worsening the transport crisis in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, leaving millions of commuters stranded during the busy holiday season.

The group criticized the Marcos administration and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for keeping PUV operators tied to one-year provisional authorities, which they say creates a public transport supply shortage.

Piston argued that the government’s failure to address long-standing concerns and criticisms of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), including the lack of franchise security, is forcing PUVs off the road when demand is highest.

“Kung hindi lang sana patuloy na iniipit ng gobyerno ang mga prangkisa ng mga operator, gagaan sana ang krisis ngayon. Pero dahil walang pake ang pamahalaan sa buhay ng ordinaryong Pilipino, tahasan nilang pinagdurusa ang mga tsuper at operator na nawawalan ng kabuhayan at ang mga komyuter natin ngayong Pasko,” said Mody Floranda, Piston National President.

Piston noted that the transport shortage hits commuters with heavy traffic and stranded passengers while PUV drivers and operators lose critical holiday income.

The group called for the immediate restoration and unconditional renewal of five-year franchises to stabilize public transport supply.