The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) granted on Wednesday, June 8, the petition for a provisional P10-minimum fare for passenger jeepneys operating in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Region IV.

The LTFRB order is expected to be fully implemented on Thursday, June 9 as copies are yet to be given to the petitioners representing PUJ operators and drivers in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Region IV.

The four-page LTFRB order rescinded its decision in March this year which rejected the petition of the transport groups to have the minimum fare increased to P10 from the existing P9. What was granted was the motion for reconsideration filed by the transport groups on the LTFRB decision junking the provisional fare increase in March this year.

In the order dated June 8, the LTFRB, however, stressed that while it granted the P1 provisional increase to make the minimum fare became P10 for the first four kilometers, it stressed that there should be no increase for the succeeding kilometers.

As such, the existing computation for the succeeding kilometers after the four kilometers still applies.

“Public utility jeepney (modernized or traditional utility jeepney) serviced authorized to operate within the territorial jurisdiction of the National Capital Region, Region III and Region IV are provisionally authorized to increase fare in the amount of One Peso for the first four kilometers but no increase in the succeeding kilometers. In sum, the fare is now provisionally adjusted to P10 (Ten Pesos) for the first four kilometers,” the order read.

Other conditions

In granting the request of the transport group, the LTFRB emphasized that the notice of the provisional fare increase must be displayed inside the vehicle for all the passengers to see.

It added that the discount for the senior citizens, persons with disabilities, students and others remains and should be given upon presentation of valid identification cards.

The LTFRB said the P10 provisional increase in the minimum fare only applies in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Region IV.

When asked to clarify which areas in Region IV the provisional increase applies, an LTFRB official said it covers both the Region 4A and 4B.

Region 4A covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon) while Region 4B covers Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (Mimaropa).

“The existing authorized fare shall remain to all other regions,” the order read.

The reason

Since fourth quarter last year, there has been at least 17 big-time oil price hikes–the latest was on Tuesday, June 7, wherein the price hike for diesel product was almost P7 and almost P3 for gasoline. Diesel is commonly used for passenger jeepneys.

There were reports that some of the PUJ operators were forced to temporarily halt their services as they could not keep up with the price of the diesel.

The shortage of passenger jeepneys have been noticeable in the past days wehich resulted in the commuters taking long hours of wait before they could ride.

The LTFRB order, signed by three LTFRB officials headed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra, cited the series of oil price hikes as the main reason behind the emergency meeting on Wednesday which resulted in the issuance of the order granting the P10 provisional fare increase.

“The steady rise of prices of fuel, a major component in the operation of public utility vehicles, has brought another challenge to keep our public transport services running and must ensure that the transport industry shall not be left out to gravely suffer,’ the order read.

“Operators and drivefs must continue to operate the PUJ services fort the benefit of the riding public,” it added.

The LTFRB said that while they always consider the plight of the Filipino commuters in deciding on every fare increase, the LTFRB “could not be insensitive to the clamor and plight of the PUV operators and drivers.”

Pending fare hike petition

LTFRB Executive Director Tina Cassion said there is still a pending main petition which seeks P5 fare increase but this was not tackled yet during the Wednesday case conference.

“We had to address immediately the 6.50 fuel price increase yesterday (June 7) that’s why the (LTFRB) Board met today to resolve immediately the motion for reconsideratio for the provisional increase,” she said.