DOTr pushes for PUV fare discount

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recommended "fare discounts" to commuters riding public utility vehicles (Jeeps, buses, and UV Express) in place of free rides in the EDSA Bus Carousel. 

According to Joseph Morong’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday, the recommended fare discounts will be the same as the fare on pre-pandemic and before the fare hike was implemented.

“Pre-pandemic fare matrix will be applied and the provisional fare increases implemented will be covered accordingly by the government,” DOTr secretary Jaime Bautista said in the memorandum submitted to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz III.

The minimum fare for traditional jeepneys will be P9 from the current P12, while in the modern jeepneys will be from P14 to P11.

The possible discount fare for buses will be up to P4, while they are still studying the discount fare for UV Express.

The DOTr said the discounted fares will be implemented in several parts of the country.

“Ang ikokonsidera dito ay yung mga ruta sa buong bansa na pinakamarami ang pasahero,” DOTr undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said.

(What will be considered here are the routes across the country that have the most number of passengers.)

However, these discounted fares will be temporary and will be stopped when the P2 billion fund for the service contracting program of the LTFRB this year has been consumed.

The DOTr is also pushing for free rides during holidays in public transportation such as trains.

GMA Integrated News is still reaching out to the LTFRB on when the discounted fares will be implemented. —Richa Noriega/ VAL, GMA Integrated News