The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will start contracting public utility vehicles (PUV) on April 15, and provide limited fuel subsidies for the public transport sector in the next three months.

Under the department service contracting program, the national government will pay drivers between P40 and P100 per kilometer.

The scheme is expected to benefit 50,000 PUV drivers, 1,000 operators and 15 million passengers.

The hired transportation vehicles will be equipped with GPS monitor to track their services and most of the Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) will take the route with connecting access to trains and buses.

Most PUV drivers work under a boundary system where they pay fixed amounts to operators and take home what is left from earnings less fuel costs.

The program will available even during off peak hours to ensure that riding public can avail of the scheme.

Commuters, on the other hand, will receive a 20-percent fare discount, he said.

The program will initially be implemented next week in the following areas:

• Commonwealth Avenue (Quezon City)
• Quezon Avenue (Quezon City)
• España Boulevard (Manila)
• Zapote Road (Las Piñas, Muntinlupa)
• A. Bonifacio Avenue (Quezon City)
• Marcos Highway (Marikina, Quezon City)
• Rizal

The subsidy will cover up to 150 liters of gasoline for each PUV driver every week.

Malacañang, however, remains silent on whether or not it would suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum