Bus operators want Capitol to reverse denial of request to lower CBST fee

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu South Mini-Bus Operators Association and the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association is seeking for reconsideration of the Economic Enterprise Council’s denial of their request for a lower increase in the parking fee at the Cebu South Bus Terminal.

Julito Flores, president of CSMBOA and spokesperson of CPBOA, said they are just waiting for the official copy of the ECC’s decision before a formal motion for reconsideration will be filed.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who chairs the ECC said that, the provincial government will continue with the 100-percent increase in the parking fee which is now P200 per entry.

The bus operators earlier requested the ECC through Garcia to only implement a minimal increase of 10 percent for the mini bus and 20 percent for regular size bus instead of the 100 percent.

But Garcia announced last week that the ECC has agreed to turn down the request.

The Capitol implemented the increase in the parking fee effective last November 1, the same date the the provincial government scrapped the P5 terminal fee for the commuters.

The bus operators earlier threatened to increase their fare if the parking will not be lowered. According to Flores, they will be forced to petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 to reinstate the original minimum fare of P8.50 for the first five kilometers and P1.45 for the succeeding kilometer.

The bus operators are collecting lower minimum fare because of the request made by Garcia in 2009 as well as stiff competition.——(FREEMAN)