Transport group petitions P15 minimum fare in jeepneys amid fuel price hikes

A transport group on Thursday filed a petition with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to increase the minimum fare in jeepneys to P15 as fuel prices continue to increase.

In a copy of the petition posted by Super Radyo dzBB's Mark Makalalad, the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) said drivers and operators are unable to provide three meals daily to their families due to the price hikes of basic commodities.

“The continuous increasing inflation rate, which kicked-up the prices of the basic commodities, pushed the PUJ stakeholders to the edge and can no longer provide 3x a day meal to their respective families,” it said.

“The aforesaid compounded factors, compelled the transportation sector to file this petition and ask for a conservative fare increase of fifteen persons (P15.00) as the minimum fare for the first four kilometers,” it added.

LTOP president Orlando Marquez acknowledged the possible impact of the fare increase to commuters but asserted that jeepney operators and drivers have to make a living.

“Para maka-survive lang po kami kaya ginawa namin ito dahil po sa sobrang taas (ng presyo ng fuel). Alam namin po na masasaktan ang aming pasahero na ikinabubuhay. Pero, ano nga ang gagawin namin kung mamamatay kami? Saan sila sasakay, sa colorum?” he said.

(To survive we have to do this because the fuel prices are really high. We know that it might hurt our passengers. But, what are we going to do if we die of poverty? Where will our passengers take a ride, on colorum jeepneys?)

On February 28, pump prices of petroleum products increased for the ninth straight week, adding to prices which have already hit as high as P80 per liter in select areas in the country. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News