Commuters cheer P0.50 jeepney fare cut implementation

Several commuters taking public utility jeepneys (PUJ) on Friday morning cheered the implementation of the P0.50 fare rollback, but some drivers expressed fears they would be at the losing end amid unstable fuel prices. 

Due to a series of fuel price rollbacks, transportation authorities ordered last Wednesday a P0.50 cut in the minimum fare, which was scheduled to take effect Friday. 

The minimum jeepney fare in the National Capital Region, Region III (Central Luzon) and Region IV (CALABARZON and MIMAROPA) was set at P7.00, down from P7.50.

GMA News' Athena Imperial reported on "Unang Balita" on Friday that several passengers were happy over the fare reduction saying their savings on fares could be used for other necessities.

"Malaking tulong na ang mababang pasahe ... hanggang apat na beses ako sumasakay ng jeep papunta sa trabaho ... Mainam nang ganun," a passenger said.

"Pangdagdag baon na rin sa mga bata ang matitipid sa pamasahe," another said.

But some drivers were  unhappy, saying prices of commodities remain high and the fare reduction means lower income for them.

"Ok lang na babaan ang pamasahe, pero baka biglang tataas ang krudo ... Madedehado kami...," a driver told GMA News.

Imperial said the rate remains P1.50 for every additional kilometer, as well as the 20 percent discount for students and senior citizens, making their minimum fare P5.60.

The Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday ordered the rollback in minimum jeepney fare in several areas, including Metro Manila, by P0.50.

The fare rollback was initiated by public transport groups after fuel companies once again lowered pump prices on Tuesday due to softening world prices of oil. It was the third such rollback in January.

Transport groups ACTO, Pasang Masda, Fejodap and LTOP earlier clarified that the fare rollback they initiated was provisional in nature.

They fear that the prices of gasoline and diesel will again increase in the coming months. —LBG/KG, GMA News