Fare hike statistically impossible – LTFRB chief

The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board on Thursday, allayed fears over the possibility of fare hikes reaching P50 following the implementation of the government's public utility vehicle modernization program.

LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III explained that the projection made by a commuter group is "statistically impossible" as he assured the public that imposing such exorbitant fares will never happen.

"Napakalayo po ng P15 sa P50. Ang ganyang nilulutang ng commuter group ay walang katotohanan. That's statistically impossible na mag-impose ang modern jeepneys ng ganyang ka-exorbitant na pasahe," Guadiz said.

The LTFRB chairman pointed out that in coming up with fare hike projections, a study must be conducted and various factors must be assessed.

"Where are they getting their data? Pinag-aralan ba nila iyan? You just can't blurt out things like that," Guadiz said.

The LTFRB chief said assessments like this must be backed by data so as not to bring alarm to the public, especially the commuters.

"The minimum fare for a Traditional Jeep is ₱9, whereas a Modern Jeep costs ₱11 since the beginning of PUV modernization in 2017. The minimum fare for a Traditional Jeep is ₱13, while a modern Jeep is ₱15 after six years (2023). Ang P2 difference ay never pong nagbago," Guadiz stressed.

"Noon pa man ay binabalanse na ng LTFRB ang pangangailangan ng mga tsuper at komyuter kapag tumataas ang presyo ng petrolyo. Kaya naman ho, walang lohika ang sinasabi nilang P50 na pamasahe sa loob ng limang taon. Statistically impossible ho talaga iyon," he explained.

Guadiz also made an assurance that the LTFRB remains committed to providing better service to the people and stressed that no unreasonable fare hikes will be implemented that would only add burden to the commuters.