Transport groups hit hike in inspection fees

CEBU, Philippines – Various transport groups yesterday questioned the increase in the inspection fees of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

During yesterday’s public consultative hearing, it was presented that the inspection fee for all types of vehicles would now be P300 and for motorcycles would now be P150.

However, transport operators questioned such increase, saying that the fees would just usually just cost them P90.

LTFRB Chairman Alberto Suansing explained to the operators that the P300 is for the recovery cost of the test facilities. Suansing said that during the inspection, an emission test would also be included.

According to him, emission tests alone would already cost the drivers P300, the amount that would be saved if they would just pay for the inspection fee.

When asked by operators if the amount of the inspection fee would be decreased after the recovery period of 10 years, Suansing said that after that period, operators would already need to buy and replace the test facilities.

Suansing also said that since the LTFRB is doing a separate test from the Land Transportation Office, he would be looking for the possibility of merging both inspections so drivers could save money.

Meanwhile, some operators will be asking for a fare hike based on the flow of fuel prices.

Romeo Armamiento, vice chairman for ANDAR North, said they would be meeting with members of the Cebu Confederation of Transport Operators and Drivers Association Incorporated on their decision to seek for another fare hike.

Armamiento said that they would ask for a 50 centavo increase in the fare to bring back the minimum fare to P7. He said they are also seeking for more assistance from the government.

He said that a calibration center should be established through a joint venture between the government and the transport groups to ensure the availability of quality spare parts. — AJ de la Torre/LPM (THE FREEMAN)