UV Express drivers' alliance urges provisional fare hikes for all PUVs

An alliance of UV Express drivers on Wednesday called for provisional fare increases for all types of public utility vehicles (PUVs) amid rising pump prices triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. 

During a House transportation committee hearing, the UV Express Alliance (UEA) appealed to be included in the granting of fare adjustments, saying drivers lose an average of P700 to P800 per day due to higher fuel costs. 

"Sana maidamay ang UV Express sa fare increase kasi noon nakaraang pinag-usapan sa LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), sila lang ang binibigyan ng pagkakataon at kami raw ay nagtaas na five or six years ago," UEA President George Jalandoni said.

(We hope UV Express drivers will also be included in the fare increase because during our previous discussions with the LTFRB, they said only jeepneys could be granted an increase since UV Express fares were adjusted five to six years ago.)

"Sana 'pag nagtaas, pangkalahatan kasi karamay kami sa problemang malaki sa petrolyo," Jalandoni said. 

(We hope any approved fare increase will apply to all PUVs since we are all affected by high petroleum costs.)

Fuel companies began implementing staggered fuel price increases on Tuesday, March 10,  following the escalation of hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

According to data by the Department of Energy, fuel retailers were set to increase prices per liter by P7.00 to P13.00 for gasoline, P17.50 to P24.25 for diesel, and P32.00 to P38.50 for kerosene.

Earlier, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it was considering granting provisional fare increases for almost all types of public transportation if diesel prices reach P60 per liter. 

However, the LTFRB clarified during the House committee hearing that fares in UV Express units have yet to be adjusted as this has yet to be formally requested from the government. 

"Ang UV Express wala pang petition. Kahapon lang sila nag-file. We assure na aaksyunan namin agad at walang maiiwan anuman ang maging decision ng LTFRB," LTFRB Board Member Greg Pua dded.

(UV Express drivers only filed a petition yesterday. Rest assured, we will take action on their request.)

UV Express fares currently range from P2.40 per kilometer for traditional units, and P2.50 per kilometer for modernized units.

Modernized jeeps

Meanwhile, drivers and operators of modernized jeeps urged the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to include them in the government's proposed service contracting program.

The DoTr is eyeing to tap traditional jeep drivers for the service contracting program. It also said jeepney drivers will receive a one-time fuel subsidy in line with the directive of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Traditional jeepney drivers will receive P5,000 and modernized jeep drivers will have P10,000. — VDV, GMA Integrated News