LTFRB reminds jeep drivers of P8 fare; some still charge P8.50

The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board on Tuesday reminded jeepney drivers to charge passengers a minimum fare of only P8, after the board withdrew Monday the provisional 50-centavo fare hike it gave last March.

 

LTFRB withdrew the fare hike after diesel prices fell below P45 per liter.

 

LTFRB board member Manuel Iway said there is no more need for hearings, consultations or fare matrices to observe the P8 minimum fare.

 

But some jeep drivers still charged P8.50 as of early Tuesday morning, claiming they had not been informed about the lower minimum fare.

 

"Wala ng public hearing. Hindi na kailangan. Kailangan simula ngayong araw ang pamasahe P8 ang minimum fare sa first 4 km," Iway said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

When asked if a new fare matrix was needed before the P8 fare will go into effect, Iway said, "’di na po, ‘di na po."

 

He said the LTFRB on Monday decided to withdraw a 50-centavo provisional increase last March, which he said was due to the high fuel prices at the time.

 

But he also pointed out the LTFRB had made clear the 50-centavo hike would last so long as diesel prices were above P45 a liter.

 

Now, he said the recent rollbacks in fuel prices have brought down diesel prices to about P44 per liter.

 

Some still charging P8.50

 

But some jeep drivers continued to charge P8.50, according to a report by radio dzBB's Glen Juego.

 

The report said the drivers who continued to charge P8.50 claimed they were "not informed" about the lower rates.

 

Taxi fare

 

Meanwhile, Iway said there is no decision yet to roll back fares for taxis.

 

He said the LTFRB is still hearing the petition of taxi operators for a fare hike from the present P40 to P50.

 

"Wala kaming decision diyan. Hindi pa tapos ang hearing ng taxi. May hearing pa ngayong June 6," he said. –KG, GMA News