Transport group calls for jeepney fare hike

A transport group on Wednesday appealed for a jeepney fare hike amid the spike in crude prices coupled with the increase in the fuel excise tax imposed by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

"Sa bawat singkwenta sentimos na itataas ng mga oil company, isang daang piso ang nawawala sa kita ng ating mga tsuper...kaya doon sa dalawandaang pisong itinaas nila, apat na raan ang nawawala sa kasalukuyan," Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) president Zenaida Maranan said in Saleema Refran's report on GMA's 24 Oras.

"Kung umabot na 'yung presyo ng halagang P40, wala naman hong kikitain ang ating mga tsuper. Maawa naman ho kayo sa kanila," she added.

Transport group Piston supported FEJODAP's call but said that the government must do concrete measures to address the increasing prices of fuel products and fuel excise tax.

Some drivers and operators gathered in front of the Department of Finance building to protest TRAIN.

The excise tax on diesel has gone up to P4.50 per liter and on gasoline to P9.00 this year after the second tranche of the Duterte administration's reform law took effect on January 1, 2019.

The minimum jeepney fare in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON was raised to P10 in November but the provisional fare hike was withdrawn a month later after a series of oil price cuts.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), for its part, said that it will consider the transport groups' suggestions.

"Tuloy po yung ginagawa nating technical working group kung saan meron tayong pinag-aaralan na mekanismo kung saan pwede nating ma-predetermine 'yung fare," LTFRB chairperson Martin Delgra III said. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News