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LTFRB grants 50-centavo minimum jeep fare hikes in NCR, Regions 3 and 4
(Updated 8:19 p.m.) Saying it found enough basis for a fare hike, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Friday approved a 50-centavo increase in minimum jeep fares, starting June 14.
LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez, who announced the fare adjustment, said this would increase the minimum jeep fare in Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4 from P8 to P8.50.
The fare hikes will take effect June 14.
At a press conference partially aired on dzBB radio, Ginez said the LTFRB considered "not only the welfare of PUJ operators and drivers but of the general public, especially the low- and middle-income classes."
Under the order, fares will be adjusted as follows:
Ginez noted the fare hike petition by transport groups was filed on Dec. 11 last year.
The groups sought an increase of P2 from P8 to P10 for the first four kilometers, and an increase of 35 centavos for the succeeding kilometers, from P1.40 to P1.75.
In their petitions, the groups claimed drivers had been shouldering the effect of diesel price hikes since the last PUJ fare hike in February 2011.
But Ginez also noted such an increase would affect the middle class and "erode their purchasing powers," and "may result in stronger calls for wage hikes."
Eventually, he said it may increase the cost of living of the general public.
Meanwhile, some transport groups that sought the fare hike were satisfied with the LTFRB's decision, radio dZBB's Rowena Salvacion reported.
Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) president Zenaida Maranan said drivers can earn an extra P100 a day from the hiked minimum fare.
But a driver who was not immediately identified said in an interview with GMA News' “24-Oras” on Friday said the increase was not enough.
“Baliwala yung [fare hike]. Kasi [tumaas nga ng] singkuwenta sentimos [pero ang] diesel mataas [din ang presyo],” he said.
Meanwhile, a father of seven said the fare hike will greatly affect their family's daily budget.
Medyo [masakit sa bulsa] kasi may mga estudyante [na anak] ako... araw-araw magkano [din] yun [pati] sa isang linggo,” he said.
Discounted rate
The LTFRB, meanwhile, said it will strictly implement a P6.80 discounted rate for students, senior citizens and the disabled, the “24-Oras” report said.
In light of this, Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators National President Efren de Luna requested those eligible for a discount to give exact amounts when paying for the new fares.
“Ang pakiusap lamang namin sa mga senior citizens at tsaka sa mga student wag na kayo magbigay ng buo,” De Luna said. — Joel Locsin, Kimberly Jane Tan, and Andrei Medina/LBG/RSJ/KBK, GMA News
LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez, who announced the fare adjustment, said this would increase the minimum jeep fare in Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4 from P8 to P8.50.
The fare hikes will take effect June 14.
At a press conference partially aired on dzBB radio, Ginez said the LTFRB considered "not only the welfare of PUJ operators and drivers but of the general public, especially the low- and middle-income classes."
Under the order, fares will be adjusted as follows:
- 50-centavo increase for the first four km, from P8 to P8.50
- 10-centavo increase for succeeding km, from P1.40 to P1.50
- 10-centavo increase for succeeding km, from P1.40 to P1.50
Ginez noted the fare hike petition by transport groups was filed on Dec. 11 last year.
The groups sought an increase of P2 from P8 to P10 for the first four kilometers, and an increase of 35 centavos for the succeeding kilometers, from P1.40 to P1.75.
In their petitions, the groups claimed drivers had been shouldering the effect of diesel price hikes since the last PUJ fare hike in February 2011.
But Ginez also noted such an increase would affect the middle class and "erode their purchasing powers," and "may result in stronger calls for wage hikes."
Eventually, he said it may increase the cost of living of the general public.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. backed the LTFRB and said the agency considered the rights and welfare of the commuting public, as well as those of the PUJ operators and drivers.
"Hence, the LTFRB sought the assistance of NEDA and DOE, in ascertaining if there is factual basis for a reasonable increase, then decided on a fair application of the Cost Recovery Method," Coloma said.
Drivers' reactions
Drivers' reactions
Meanwhile, some transport groups that sought the fare hike were satisfied with the LTFRB's decision, radio dZBB's Rowena Salvacion reported.
Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) president Zenaida Maranan said drivers can earn an extra P100 a day from the hiked minimum fare.
But a driver who was not immediately identified said in an interview with GMA News' “24-Oras” on Friday said the increase was not enough.
“Baliwala yung [fare hike]. Kasi [tumaas nga ng] singkuwenta sentimos [pero ang] diesel mataas [din ang presyo],” he said.
Meanwhile, a father of seven said the fare hike will greatly affect their family's daily budget.
Medyo [masakit sa bulsa] kasi may mga estudyante [na anak] ako... araw-araw magkano [din] yun [pati] sa isang linggo,” he said.
Discounted rate
The LTFRB, meanwhile, said it will strictly implement a P6.80 discounted rate for students, senior citizens and the disabled, the “24-Oras” report said.
In light of this, Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators National President Efren de Luna requested those eligible for a discount to give exact amounts when paying for the new fares.
“Ang pakiusap lamang namin sa mga senior citizens at tsaka sa mga student wag na kayo magbigay ng buo,” De Luna said. — Joel Locsin, Kimberly Jane Tan, and Andrei Medina/LBG/RSJ/KBK, GMA News
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