Only 6% of PUVs obtained new fare matrix —LTFRB exec

Only 6% of the target public utility vehicles (PUVs) have obtained a copy of the updated fare matrix, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Monday, the first day of the implementation of the fare hike.

“Ito pong fare matrix para sa effectivity nung bagong fare adjustment, mga six percent pa lang ang nabibigyan natin doon sa target nating 250,000 na mga PUVs,” LTFRB Board Member Mercy Jane Paras-Leynes said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(Regarding the fare matrix for the effectivity of the new fare adjustment, only around six percent of our 250,000 target PUVs have obtained a copy of the fare matrix.)

Leynes said that a P5,000 fine will be imposed for PUVs that do not display a copy of the new fare matrix based on the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-001.

Considering the low percentage of PUVs that do not have a copy of the updated fare matrix on the day of the effectivity of the fare increase, she said the LTFRB has prepared its monitoring teams to check PUVs. She added that the LTFRB already reached out operators to ensure the compliance of their PUVs.

Leynes advised commuters to report PUVs that do not have a new fare matrix through LTFRB’s Facebook page and hotline 1342.

According to Leynes, the LTFRB charges P50 for a copy of the updated fare matrix.

Starting Monday, commuters will have to pay more for public transport fares after the LTFRB approved fare adjustments in light of the continuous increase in petroleum prices.

The LTFRB approved a P1 provisional increase in the minimum fare for the first four kilometers of travel in public utility jeepneys (PUJs), bringing the minimum fare for traditional PUJ up to P12, and the modern PUJ up to P14.

It also approved an additional fare per succeeding kilometer, up by P0.30 for traditional PUJs to P1.80, and by P0.40 for modern PUJs to P2.20.

For public utility buses (PUBs), the minimum fare for city buses will be hiked by P2 for the first five kilometers — P13 for the regular buses, and P15 for the air-conditioned buses.

The minimum fares for provincial buses will also be hiked by P2, with succeeding kilometer fare increases ranging from P1.90 to P2.90 depending on the type of bus.

For taxis, the flag-down rate will be hiked to P45, and P40 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Fares of transport network vehicle services (TNVS) will likewise increase to P35 for hatchback-type vehicles; P45 for sedan-type vehicles; P55 for Asian utility vehicles (AUVs) and sports utility vehicles (SUVs).  —KBK, GMA News