Transport groups seek audience with LTFRB for fare hike petitions

Some transport groups are now seeking an audience with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to discuss their petitions to hike fares given the successive petroleum price hikes.

The Liga ng Transpotasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) has called for a P2 hike in the minimum jeepney fares, but noted that it is still up to the LTFRB to come up with a win-win situation for all stakeholders, according to a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

Bus operators are also seeking an increase in bus fares: by P4.00 for ordinary trips and by P7.00 for air-conditioned trips.

The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) earlier sought for a P2.00 increase in jeepney fares, saying that jeepney drivers are now bearing the brunt of the increase of local pump prices.

Oil firms just last week hiked prices per liter of gasoline by P1.40, diesel by P6.10, and kerosene by P6.10. This is the second straight week of increases.

A major rollback is expected on Tuesday—gasoline to be rolled back by between P3.00 and P3.30 per liter, and diesel by P1.70 to P2.00 per liter.

Data from the Department of Energy (DOE) indicate that year-to-date adjustments stood at a net increase of P18.15 per liter for gasoline, P31.70 per liter for diesel, and P27.10 per liter for kerosene as of August 23, 2022.

For its part, the LTFRB said it is set to release its decision on the fare hike petitions by this month, noting that fares across the nation are due for an increase. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News