LTFRB-7 pushes fare reduction

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 recommended a fare reduction for taxi and vans for hire.

LTFRB-7 director Reynaldo Elnar said he already submitted his recommendation to the board in Manila last Friday. The recommendation, however, does not cover the yellow taxi or the airport taxi.

 Elnar said he recommended a P10 reduction of the current P40 flagdown rate but the succeeding rate of P3.50 for every 300 meters will remain.

For vans for hire a 20-centavo reduction from the current P2 per kilometer has been recommended. If the recommendation is approved, the fare of vans for hire should be P1.80 per kilometer.

“I recommended sa reduction sa flagdown rate ra, with no further reduction sa succeeding 300 meters kay although ni ubos ang presyo sa lana, ang presyo sa mga spare parts wa man niubos,” Elnar said.

The recommendation was made despite opposition from the members of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association. Taxi operators claimed that prices of spare parts remained high.

Vans for hire operators, on the other hand, were divided on the issue of fare rollback.  

Elnar said his recommendation does not cover yellow taxis or those taxis servicing airport passengers.

“I did not recommend any reduction sa ilang fare. Kay kining mga yellow taxi, they are not allowed to ferry passengers in going back to the airport. Mao na’ng mas mahal ni ilang rate,” Elnar added.

Airport taxi has a flagdown rate of P70 and P4 for every succeeding 300 meters.

Negros Oriental Representative Manuel Iway earlier filed a petition for fare reduction. He wanted that the P40 flagdown rate be reduced to P30 and further reduce by P1 the P3.50 rate for every succeeding 300 meters. —FPL (FREEMAN)