Provincial bus operators to appeal for fare hike ahead of routes opening

A provincial bus operators group said it will call for a fare hike as 12 routes to provinces will finally open on September 30, according to a report of 24 Oras News Alert on Saturday.

The South Luzon Bus Operators said it will request the fare increase on Monday, citing the cost to continue operations while complying with the safety protocols against COVID-19.

"Pareho lang 'yung overhead mo eh, and cost ng operation pareho, pero 'yung income mo nabawasan ng 50%. Paano magiging viable 'yun?" Homer Mercado, director of the South Luzon Bus Operators, said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

Along with the resumption of their operations, buses are only allowed 50% capacity, and must maintain physical distancing along with contact tracing measures.

Passengers are also required to wear both face shields and face masks, and have their temperature checked before entering the vehicle.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) noted the fare will be maintained for the opening of the modified provincial bus routes to and from Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4-A.

At present, provincial buses have the following rates:

• Ordinary - P9.00 for the first 5 kilometers and P1.55 for every succeeding kilometer.
• Regular aircon - P1.75 per kilometer
• Deluxe - P1.85 per kilometer
• Super deluxe - P1.95 per kilometer
• Luxury - P2.40 per kilometer

"Currently under the MC, we will implement the same fare rates initially," said LTFRB technical division head Joel Bolano.

"Ito po 'yung dating pong fare rates nila. Ito po muna susundin natin, itong provision fare rates. Wala po tayong fare increase as of today," he added.

Also, the LTFRB allowed only 286 buses to resume operations starting Sept. 30.

According to the group, operators and drivers will lose profit since buses are only allowed to accommodate 50% of their passenger capacity.

The group will also ask the LTFRB to allow more buses and open more routes.

The following are the 12 modified provincial bus routes which will be opened pursuant to LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular No. 2020-051:

• San Fernando, Pampanga - Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
• Batangas City, Batangas - Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx)
• Lemery, Batangas - PITx
• Lipa City, Batangas - PITx
• Nasugbu, Batangas - PITx
• Indang, Cavite - PITx
• Mendez, Cavite - PITx
• Tagaytay City, Cavite - PITx
• Ternate, Cavite - PITx
• Calamba City, Laguna - PITx
• Siniloan, Laguna - PITx
• Sta. Cruz, Laguna – PITx

—Joviland Rita with Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KG/BM, GMA News