Fare hike now effective, LTFRB reminds need for matrix copies

Public transport users started to pay more for their commutes as nationwide fare increases became effective on Monday, October 3.

However, in Bernadette Reyes’ report on “24 Oras,” the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said drivers or operators who have not secured a copy of the new fare matrix could not implement the fare increase.

Many drivers still have the outdated fare matrix on their vehicles.

“Sa pasahero na lang po kung magbibigay sila okay lang kung wala, okay lang din. P11 pa rin po kami. Wala pa po eh. Nilalakad pa po… hindi na nila kinukuha kapag ibabalik namin ‘yung piso na sobra hindi na nila kinukuha. Binibigay na lang sa amin,” driver Raymond Pagirigan said.

“Wala tayong magagawa. Wala pa tayong pinanghahawakan na [fare matrix], hindi pa ako nakakakuha. Mahirap kumuha kapag ganito na sabay-sabay. Binabalik ko pa rin ang [sobrang bayad] kasi hindi pa pwede,” another driver Oscar Turaray added.

“Baka masita at saka baka ang mga pasahero ay magreklamo bakit naniningil ng wala pang-taripa,” driver Marvin Carpio said.

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 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 (CAR).

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).

Of the total 260,000 PUVs across the country, only 10% or more than 26,000 have secured a copy of the new fare matrix, based on LTFRB’s records.

“Alam mo naman, minsan ang ugali natin ay doon tayo sa last minute, 'di ba? So siguro ‘yun ang nangyari pero continuous naman ang pag-accept namin ng application kahit implemented na today,” said LTFRB chairperson Cheloy Garafil.

The agency said the fare matrix was important to safeguard commuters from colorum PUVs.

It added that the new fare matrix could not be taken online since a document must be submitted, noting that some drivers also do not want to have transactions virtually.

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 PUVs.

Meanwhile, some commuters complained they were being charged the increased fare despite the lack of a new fare matrix inside the PUV.

Transport group Pasang Masda said drivers must return the added fare since the law requires a fare matrix before they could collect the increased fare. — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA News