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(Update) LTFRB issues new fare matrix for passenger buses


MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has started issuing the new fare matrix for passenger buses, QTV's Live on Q reported Thursday. The television report said that starting Friday, passenger buses which will be able to secure a fare guide from the LTFRB will be allowed to implement the fare increase approved by the government. Minimum fares for ordinary buses will go up by P1 from P9 to P10 for the first five kilometers with P0.20 to be added to P1.75 for succeeding kilometers. On the other hand, minimum fare for air-conditioned buses will increase to P12 and P2.35 will be added for every succeeding kilometers. The report said the LTFRB reminded that only buses with fare matrix can collect the additional fare. A separate report in QTV's Balitanghali quoted LTFRB chairman Thompson Lantion as saying passengers are not obliged to pay additional fares to buses that have not yet secured a fare matrix. The report said LTFRB deferred the payment of the filing fee, saying bus and jeepney operators will only have to P50 for every fare matrix they will get. While taxi operators need to pay P100 for the sticker which will allow them to charge an additional P10 from passengers. The report said Lantion is now meeting with regional transport groups for the fare increase which will be implemented in different provinces. The report also quoted Lantion as saying that LTFRB will continue its hearings on the fare increase petition pending before their office. On Wednesday, lawyer Emmanuel Mahipus, LTFRB director, said fare increase for jeepneys would most likely be implemented next week as the fare matrix would only available for distribution on Monday. "The matrix would be available Monday but we'll do overtime kaya magme-meeting kami sa leaders ng mga jeepney mamaya (so we will meet the leaders of jeepney groups later in the afternoon)," Mahipus had said. He said a fare matrix is a requirement before any public utility driver could implement fare increase. "Kung walang matrix, hindi muna pwedeng mangolekta dahil wala kang guide (If a driver has not secured a fare matrix, he cannot collect additional fares as he still have no basis for implementing such)," Mahipus said. Mahipus said a fare matrix is needed as "we don't want to leave it to the driver and passenger arguing on the street on how much they have to pay for a certain distance." The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Tuesday approved petitions for a fare hike for passenger jeeps, buses and taxicabs. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV
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