LTFRB studies fare hike petitions

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is carefully reviewing all petitions for a jeepney fare increase and will issue a resolution by April.

“Let us weigh all the arguments,” LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz told DAILY TRIBUNE on Saturday.

This comes after another transport group announced its push for a provisional fare increase to address rising fuel costs.

Liberty de Luna, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), said her group would be satisfied with a P2 provisional fare increase for public utility vehicles.

“Even with a one-peso increase, we’d be happy. Maybe two pesos. Traditional jeepneys would have a minimum fare of P15, while modern jeeps would charge P17,” De Luna said.

She noted that current fares were so low that jeepney drivers earned as little as P150 a day.

“That’s why it’s a provisional fare hike. If petroleum prices drop, we’ll automatically lower the fares. If diesel returns to P40 per liter, that’s when we’ll remove the provisional increase,” she said.

De Luna recalled that two years ago, they successfully secured a provisional fare increase of P1, though they had initially filed for a P5 hike.

“Now, because petroleum prices continue to rise, it’s become necessary for drivers and operators to request for a P2 provisional fare increase,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) has also requested for a P2 provisional fare increase.

ALTODAP president Boy Vargas said modern jeepney operators particularly were struggling due to the amortization payments they are required to make.