In metro cebu during peak hours: “Fare surge” eyed

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-purpose Cooperative (CITRASCO) is set to file a petition next month that would raise fare in public utility vehicles during peak hours.

CITRASCO will file the petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

CITRASCO Chairman and General Manager Ryan Benjamin Yu said yesterday that the worsening traffic situation in Metro Cebu is what prompted them to seek for the "fare surge."

What they want, he said, is a P1.50 increase in the minimum fare from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"We already agreed on this. No question. We will file the fare surge petition first week of February," Yu told The Freeman yesterday.

Yu explained that worsening traffic conditions here have reduced the jeepney drivers' "round trips" while spending too much on fuel. In the end, their take home pay is barely above the surface.

He said that in the past, a PUJ driver can have at least seven round trips for long distance travel (20kms) but this has been reduced to five trips with the same amount of fuel consumed. Worst, prices of fuel are also increasing.

Aside from the "fare surge," Yu said they are also considering asking for an increase in the current P6.50 minimum fare "pero kani, under study pa namo kung pila ang amount nga increase among pangayu-on for the minimum fare kay pwede P1 or 1.50. What is certain now is the P1.50 for the fare surge."

Yu said that during a meeting last week, other big transport groups like the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Central Visayas and the Visayas United Drivers Transport Cooperative expressed support for the "fare surge" and increase in minimum fare.

NCTU-Visayas National Vice President Romeo Armamento said the increases in the prices of fuel and the worsening traffic are two factors that affect a driver's income.

"Sa among tan-aw, makatarunganon ra man pud na among pangayu-on nga increase. Anyway, e-public hearing pa man na," Armamento said.

On the other hand, Greg Perez, president of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Drivers Nationwide - Cebu, said their group will not petition a fare increase.

In an interview over dyAB, Perez said they will instead focus on lobbying for projects the government can implement to help drivers instead of passing the burden to the riding public.

CITRASCO has 1,000 PUJ units with more or less 2,000 drivers. NCTU-Visayas has more or less 1,000 PUJ drivers as members while PISTON-Cebu claimed to have 700 PUJ drivers as members. Majority of their members are located in Metro Cebu.

A fare hike petition is subject to a public hearing at LTFRB.

Comments

Talking to The Freeman, Vaña Abella, 19, said she supports the "fare surge" as long as it does not cover students.

"Dili gyud ko favor ana kay estudyante pa baya ko and mostly, sa mga studyante, wala pay mga trabaho… lisod pud siya kay kung ingon anang mga orasaha man gud mao nay ting-adto sa school. Ok raman gihapon nga increasan nila pero wala nay labot sa studyante… kung dili gani, naa gihapoy discount," she said.

Winzale Espinosa, 22, an officer worker, disagrees totally.

"Dili gyud ko favor ana kay parihas nako kung moadto ko sa trabaho kay tulo ko ka rides so gasto kaayo gyud siya labi ingon ana nga oras kay sakay nya traffic pa gyud so lisod gyud kaayo siya," he said.

Shiela Fajardo, 52, a mother of six, shares Espinosa's sentiments.

"Dili gyud ko muoyon ana kay lisod na gyud kaayo ang panahon ron. Pila ra gud tawn ang sweldo nya mosaka ang plite… mas maglisod gyud ka kung naa kay studyante nya ikaw pa gyud ang nagbuhi. Kung naa man gani pagsaka sa plite, mas maayo pud unta ilang increasan ang sweldo kay haron dili maglisod og budget," she said. Rexy Quennie A. Engle (FREEMAN)