LTFRB to meet with transport groups on Monday to discuss fare hike petitions

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is set to meet with transport groups on Monday to discuss their petitions for a fare hike amid rising fuel costs.

"Ang specifically na naka-set sa Lunes is the jeepney, UV Express, motorcycle taxis at taxis," said LTRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday.

(The ones specifically scheduled for Monday are jeepneys, UV Express units, motorcycle taxis, and taxis.)

He said commuter groups will also be present during the meeting to ask possible questions and raise their concerns.

"It will be a good opportunity for each petitioner para mapaliwanag nilang mabuti saan nanggagaling ang kanilang mga petisyon. Nandun din naman ang mga commuter groups also to ask questions, para maliwanan natin ang best way to move forward sa petsiyon na to," he added.

(It will be a good opportunity for each petitioner to thoroughly explain the basis of their petitions. Commuter groups will also be present to ask questions, so that we can clarify the best way to move forward with these petitions.)

The petitions cover public utility jeepneys (PUJ), passenger buses, UV Express, taxis, and motorcycle taxis.

The fare hike petitions were filed by PISTON, Metro Comet Transport Service Cooperative, UV Express National Alliance of the Philippines, United Transportation Coalition of the Philippines, and Manibela.

Manibela is seeking a P2 increase, while PISTON is seeking a P10 fare hike.

The current minimum PUJ fare is P13.

The LTFRB earlier said it will consider several factors in deciding on the petitions, including the riding public’s capacity to absorb higher transportation costs and the potential inflationary impact of any fare increase on the prices of basic goods and services.

'Yan ang pinakamahirap na desisyon ng board, binabalanse natin ang interes ng operator at interes ng commuters. But definitely 'yung popularity of the decision is not a factor on our decision," Mendoza explained.

(That is the most difficult decision of the board, we are balancing the interest of the operator and the interest of the commuters. But definitely the popularity of the decision is not a factor on our decision.)

"Ang problema naman diyan, kung hindi natin iaakyat, baka hindi na bumiyahe itong mga sasakyan natin," he added.

(The problem there is, if we don't raise the rates, our vehicles might stop operating.)

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) earlier hoped the government will consider increasing the per-liter fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles from P10 to P15 amid the recent increase in oil prices. —VAL, GMA News