Hyundai Truck & Bus Philippines is expanding its role in the country’s public transport modernization efforts after supporting transport cooperative Partner 7 with 15 additional Hyundai HD50S GT Class 2 Modern Public Utility Vehicles (MPUVs) for its Marikina operations.
The new vehicles were formally turned over during a ceremony held on July 28 at the Marikina Hotel Convention Center. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, vehicle blessing, and official turnover attended by representatives from the local government, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Hyundai Truck & Bus Philippines, and Partner 7. The expansion is part of the government’s continuing Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
Before the latest addition, Partner 7 already operated 32 Hyundai HD50S GT Class 2 MPUVs along its Marikina routes. With 15 more units joining the fleet, the cooperative aims to further improve commuter service by offering safer, more dependable, and more comfortable public transportation while meeting the increasing demand along its routes.
According to Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai Truck & Bus Philippines, the continued expansion reflects the transport cooperative’s confidence in the HD50S GT platform, which has built a reputation for reliability, fuel efficiency, durability, and passenger comfort in daily public transport operations.
HARI Vice Chairman, President, and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo said the company sees transport modernization as more than simply supplying vehicles. She said the goal is to help transport operators provide better services that improve the daily commuting experience of Filipinos while supporting safer and more efficient mobility nationwide.
The event also highlighted the collaboration between government agencies, transport operators, and private industry in advancing modern public transportation. Officials from the Marikina City government, LTFRB-NCR, Partner 7, Frontier Automotive Marilao Corporation, and HARI attended the turnover, underscoring their shared commitment to improving urban mobility.
As more transport cooperatives modernize their fleets, Hyundai Truck & Bus Philippines said it will continue supporting operators through its nationwide dealership network, aftersales services, and mobility solutions designed to keep public transportation running efficiently across the country.
Autocar’s Take
Modern public transport isn’t just about replacing old vehicles—it is about giving commuters a safer, cleaner, and more reliable daily journey. Partner 7’s decision to further expand its Hyundai HD50S GT fleet shows that transport cooperatives are beginning to see modernization as a long-term investment rather than a compliance requirement. If more operators continue making similar commitments, commuters stand to benefit the most.
The PUV Modernization Program still faces challenges, but projects like this demonstrate that steady progress is possible when government, manufacturers, and transport groups work toward the same goal of improving public transportation in the Philippines.
