Transport groups lament rigorous process, fees to get jeepney fare matrix from LTFRB

Two transport groups on Monday expressed dismay over the rigorous process and fees jeepney operators have to go through and pay in order to secure a new fare matrix from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"Kaya nga nagpetisyon ang mga driver kasi nangangailangan ng economic relief tapos papatawan pa ng 'buwis' ng LTFRB... Alam mo matagal na naming hinihiling na ibasura 'yang increase of rate fee," said Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) president George San Mateo in an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

San Mateo said an operator has to pay LTFRB up to P610 due to the fees for increase of rate, franchise verification, and a copy of the new fare matrix.

According to a separate report on Balitanghali on Monday by Chino Gaston, the breakdown of the P610 fee is as follows: P40 for franchise verification, P50 for fare matrix, and P520 for increase of rate.

Jeepney operators also complained about the lack of system in getting the fare matrix. Many of them went to the LTFRB Central Office on East Avenue but found out that they should go instead to the LTFRB National Capital Region Office at the corner of EDSA and Kamuning. The lines were also long, they said, snaking from the fifth floor to the second floor.

Efren De Luna, national president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Monday that the LTFRB should have prepared better for the releasing of the fare matrix to prevent a crowded situation in their office.

“'Yung sistema po ng kalakaran nila, hindi na kailangan patagalin pa. Dapat 'yung nakaraan pa na inaprubahan na 'yan dapat naging handa na sila sa pagbibigay noong tinatawag na taripa (fare matrix),” he said.

De Luna said the long lines for payment also contributed to the slow process.

“Ang problema kasi sa LTFRB hindi marunong makipag-usap at makipag-dialogue sa amin na mga leader ng transport,” De Luna said.

Downloaded matrix preferred

PISTON acknowledged the importance of having the new fare matrix posted in jeepneys as this serves as a guide for passengers.

The transport group, however, added that the LTFRB should have employed digital technology to facilitate the issuance of fare matrices.

"Una pwede namang 'yung mga ida-download sa LTFRB may passcode para matiyak na galing talaga sa LTFRB 'yung taripa... 'Yun, wala nang pila 'yun. Ida-download mo na lang sa website nila," San Mateo said.

“Maganda nga po na ibigay na online na lamang 'yun, para maging mabilis ang pagbibigay,” De Luna said.

San Mateo also estimated that LTFRB's revenue from these fees following the approval of the minimum fare hike in NCR, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog may reach up to P15 million.

"Kaya gusto ng LTFRB na physical ang pagkuha ng papel sa kanila kasi para mabilis ang pagbayad," he said.

The LTFRB required jeepney operators and drivers to obtain a copy of the new fare matrix so they can legally charge passengers with the minimum fare of P10.

Violators may be fined from P5,000 to P15,000. —Dona Magsino and Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News