LTFRB orders transport groups to submit position paper on fare hike

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has directed several transport groups to submit a position paper regarding their appeal for a provisional P1 fare hike for public utility jeepneys (PUJs), the agency said Tuesday.

LTFRB spokesperson Atty. Zoj Daphne Usita said the LTFRB directed the groups to submit their position paper within a non-extendible period of 10 days following a hearing on Monday.

"Sa una nilang petition, doon sa petition na pinasa nila nitong August, nakalagay po kasi doon na gusto ng transport group na 'yung P1 provisional fare ay maging permanent," she said on Unang Balita.

(In their first petition, in the petition they filed this August, it was stated there that the transport group wanted the P1 provisional fare to become permanent.)

"Pinag-submit po sila ng position paper para i-justify nila ano pa po ba—, bakit humingi po sila nung additional na piso," she added.

(They were required to submit a position paper to justify why they requested that additional one peso fare.)

Usita said the LTFRB previously approved a P1-provisional increase in the minimum fare for PUJs in October 2023 from P12 to P13.

This current minimum fare for PUJs is P13 and P15 for modern jeepneys. 

Meanwhile, Usita said the transport groups also asked for an additional P5.

"Kapag ico-compute po siya, P12 po nung 2023, and then P12 plus P5 magiging P17. Ayun po 'yung hinihingi ng transport groups for traditional jeepneys. And then plus 20% naman po 'pag modern jeepneys," she said.

(When it is computed, it was P12 in 2023, and then P12 plus P5 will become P17. That is what the transport groups are requesting for traditional jeepneys. And then plus 20% for modern jeepneys.)

"So, around P20 po 'yung magiging total na pamasahe," she added.

(So, around P20 will be the total fare.)

According to Usita, transport groups told the LTFRB that the fuel subsidy given by the government is not enough for them to meet their needs, citing maintenance and operational costs.

"Sinabi din po nila na 'yung mga drivers po natin, hindi din daw po nami-meet even 'yung minimum wage… ang take home lang nila is nasa around P350," she said.

(They also said that our drivers are not even meeting the minimum wage… their take-home pay is only around P350.)

According to a separate report on Unang Balita, the LTFRB said it will look into the disbursement of the fuel subsidy.

— VDV, GMA Integrated News