Transport groups file petition for additional P1-P2 rush hour fare charge

Transport groups on Tuesday filed a petition with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that would allow jeepney and bus operators and drivers to charge an additional P1.00 to P2.00 on fares during rush hour.

In their petition, Pasang Masda, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) asked the LTFRB to allow traditional and modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to charge an additional P1.00, and public utility buses (PUBs) an additional P2.00 during the rush hour periods of 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., except on Sundays and national holidays.

The additional rates the groups are asking are on top of the respective approved minimum fares.

Last September, the LTFRB approved a P1.00 provisional increase in the minimum fare for the first four kilometers of travel in PUJs, bringing the minimum fare for traditional PUJs up to P12, and modern PUJs 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, bringing the minimum fare on regular buses to P13 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.

In asking for the increased fares during rush hour, the transport groups said that the recent provisional increases, while helpful,  were "not enough to alleviate the woes of PUV (public utility vehicle) operators in the face of further fuel price hikes, higher operational costs caused by inflation, and also due to rush congestion in the city.”

The groups said that PUVs operating during rush hours incur higher operating costs “in terms of fuel consumption, wear and tear of the vehicle, longer working hours and driver fatigue.”

In a statement, the LTFRB confirmed that the agency received the petition of Pasang Masda, ALTODAP, and ACTO on October 14, 2022.

“Nauunawaan ng pamunuan ng LTFRB ang hinaing ng mga drayber at mga operator na itaas muli ang pamasahe dulot nang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo,” the public land transport regulator said.

(The LTFRB understands the petition of drivers and operations to increase fares again due to continuous increases in the price of crude oil.)

The LTFRB also said it recognized the plight of commuters, and that another increase in transport fares would be an additional financial burden to them.

“Bagamat magkakaroon ito ng inflationary effect sa ekonomiya ng bansa, isinasantabi muna ito ng ahensya upang mahimay ang mga puntong inilatag ng transport groups sa naturang petisyon,” it said.

(While this will have an inflationary effect on the country, the agency will set this aside to examine the points raised by transport groups in their petition.)

The LTFRB said it would continue to study the petitions it receives for the welfare of drivers, operators, and commuters. — DVM, GMA News