Transport group wants jeepney fare hiked to P12

Transport group Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) has asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to raise the base fare for public utility jeepneys from P8 to P12.

Citing the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusio (TRAIN) law's effect on fuel prices, ACTO president Efren de Luna on Tuesday said they have amended their earlier fare hike petition which initially asked for a P2 hike.

"Ang halaga lamang po ng aming pinagbatayan no'n ay P35 per liter pero ngayon po, umaabot na po tayo ng halos P47 per liter," De Luna said in an interview on Balitanghali.

"At ang pinagbatayan nga po natin nu'ng kami'y nag-file ay P8 na patungo po sa P10 pero ang nangyari po ngayon dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis... sa pamamagitan ng TRAIN law ay nagkaroon po kami ng amyenda du'n sa petition na lugar na P8 to P10 ay ginawa na po naming P12," he added.

The LTFRB, which has approved a P1 provisional fare hike for PUJs in July, has yet to comment on the transport group's latest request.

"Ibig sabihin, 'yung one peso po na hiniling naming provisional ay nakuha na namin, tatlong piso na lamang po ang hinihiling namin pata maging P12," De Luna said.

He said the LTFRB has no reason to deny their petition, citing the recent increases in pump prices.

De Luna assured the public that they will act accordingly if ever the prices go down.

"Kung sakali naman na bumulusok ang pagbaba ng presyo ng langis... puwede rin naming agarang ibigay yung pagbaba ng pamasahe," he said. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News