LTFRB: Minimum jeepney fare still at P9

The minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) remains at P9 as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has yet to decide on the petitions of transport groups to increase fares amid the continuous increase in petroleum prices.

On Tuesday, LTFRB executive director Tina Cassion told reporters in a Viber group message that “hanggat hindi pa nagpapalabas ang LTFRB ng pinal na desisyon ay P9.00 pa din po ang minimum fare po natin (while the LTFRB has not yet released a final decision, P9 is still the minimum fare).”

The LTFRB conducted a hearing earlier in the day to hear the petitions of several transport groups to increase the minimum fare for PUJ services in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3 and Region 4.

In a separate statement, the LTFRB said that as a result of the said hearing, the Board, through its chairman Martin Delgra III, “manifested that the request for the grant of provisional adjustment to increase the minimum fare for PUJ service from P9.00 to P10.00 is now submitted for resolution by the Board.”

Sought for clarification, Cassion said the minimum fare remains at P9 since the provisional adjustment to P10 is only submitted for resolution.

Petitioners 1-UTAK, PASANG MASDA, ALTODAP AND ACTO are asking for a provisional increase of P1 in the minimum fare or an increase of 11%, while the LTFRB is hearing their main petitions.

The groups’ main petition is for the LTFRB to increase the minimum fare by P5 to P14 and adjust the fare for succeeding kilometers after the first four kilometers from P1.50 to 2.50.

On the other hand, LTOP is asking for a provisional increase in the minimum fare of P3 and P1 increase per succeeding kilometer.

LTOP is also asking to make the minimum fare P15.

In resolving both petitions for fare hike, the LTFRB said it has to carefully scrutinize all aspects, especially the inflationary impact it will have on the economy, its effect on the commuters and the expected domino effect on the price of goods and services.

The LTFRB said it recognizes the urgent need to address and resolve the issue early, which does not affect not only the petitioners but the countless commuters we serve.

On the other hand, the agency also said it will start its release of the fuel subsidy for the more than 377,000 beneficiaries covering PUJ, PUB, UVE, Taxi, TNVS, Tricycles, and Delivery Services before the end of March, while the Service Contracting Program is also targeted to be launched within the same month, once funds are downloaded by the DBM.

The two programs of the Department of Transportation and LTFRB are intended to cushion the adverse effect to the PUV operators and drivers on the series of oil price hikes. — RSJ, GMA News