Only 35% of target PUVs have requested a copy of new fare matrix –LTFRB

Only 35% of the 230,000 target public utility vehicles (PUVs) have requested for a copy of the updated fare matrix, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Tuesday.

“Ang records ng LTFRB na kumukuha ng fare matrix ayon sa target ng LTFRB na 230,000 nationwide ay mga 82,000 pa lang ang nagre-request. It's just 35%,” LTFRB Technical Division chief Joel Bolano said at a public briefing.

(Based on LTFRB records, only 82,000 of the 230,000 target PUVs nationwide requested a copy of the fare matrix. It's just 35%.)

He added that the copy of the adjusted fare matrix had been released to 32% of the target PUVs.

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, according to the LTFRB.

PUVs also cannot charge the additional fare without a copy of the adjusted fare matrix.

The fare increase in PUVs has been in effect since October 3. The LTFRB approved the fare adjustments in light of the 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 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 flag-down rate was hiked to P45, and P40 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

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