LTFRB mulls delaying fee collection as only few PUVs obtain updated fare matrix

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday said it is considering delaying the collection of P520 access fee amid the low number of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators who are obtaining a copy of the adjusted fare matrix.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, LTFRB officer-in-charge Riza Marie Paches said the agency understands the struggle of operators and drivers in paying the cost.

“That is why the Board right now is looking into the possibility of delaying the collection of the P500. Maaaring sa next round na lang po nila ng pagpapa-confirm natin po sisingilin 'yung P520,” she said.

(Maybe we will only collect the P520 fee on the next round of their confirmation.)

“So the Board is deliberating on that sa kagustuhan nating maibsan 'yung mga compliance cost ng ating public transport operators and drivers,” she added.

(So the Board is deliberating on that because we want to ease the compliance cost of our public transport operators and drivers.)

The LTFRB said only 6% of the 250,000 target PUVs have obtained a copy of the adjusted fare matrix as of the first day of the implementation of the fare hike on October 3.

To secure a copy of the new fare matrix, drivers or operators must pay an access fee worth P520 per franchise and P50 per unit.

The LTFRB said there is a QR code on the fare matrix for each PUV.

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, the LTFRB said.

Drivers or operators who have not secured a copy of the new fare matrix could not implement the fare increase.

The LTFRB earlier 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 a fare increase 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 was 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 were also hiked by P2, with succeeding kilometer fare increases ranging from P1.90 to P2.90 depending on the type of bus.

For taxis, the flagdown rate was hiked to P45, and P40 in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

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