Metro bus operators seek new fare hike

Various transport groups may ask the government to grant them another fare increase.

As this developed, a group of public school teachers reiterated their demand yesterday for a P3,000 raise in their monthly salaries.

Last Tuesday’s P1 fare hike given by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has not satisfied some transport leaders.

They complained that although the minimum fare was raised by P1, the LTFRB had extended the new rate’s coverage from four to five kilometers.

Cesar Apolinario, president of the Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association (IMBOA), said the recent fuel price hikes have "devalued" the new fares.

"There is no fare hike in the true sense of the word," he said. "We can’t be satisfied with the rates imposed by the LTFRB."

Apolinario said IMBOA wanted the minimum fares for ordinary buses increased from P3 to P4.50 for the first four kilometers and a P1 additonal charge for each succeeding kilometer.

"We now collect P3.67 for the first five kilometers but starting Monday, we’ll charge P4 for this distance because the LTFRB had prolonged the coverage of the minimum fare," he said. "Technically, the fare increased by only 33 centavos."

On the other hand, Medardo Roda, president of the Pinagka-Isang Samahan ng mg Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON), said the new fares do not cover the fuel price hikes of the past few months.

Roda said PISTON had asked the LTFRB to hike the minimum fare from P3 to P4 for the first four kilometers and the charge for each succeeeding kilometers increased from 67 centavos to P1.

"Oil prices are just increasing and it takes the LTFRB long before deciding on a petition," he said. "So the amount that we sought had decreased in value."

Meanwhile, Efren de Luna, president of the Philippine Confederation of Drivers’ Organization-Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (PCDO-ACTO), challenged the government yesterday to deregulate fares.

"We want the government to control oil prices but if it cannot do so, it might as well deregulate the entire transport industry," he said.

De Luna said transport operators, just like oil companies, should be allowed to impose their own fare schedule.

As for public school teachers, Carol Almeda, president of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), said they could no longer cope with the rising cost of living because of their meager income.

"The purchasing power of the peso has long been depreciating so its just about time to adjust our salary so we can still live a decent life," she said.

Almeda said ACT members celebrated "World Teacher’s Day" yesterday with sadness following the increase of the minimum fare from P3 to P4.

"I don’t know what awaits public school teachers in the future," she said. "It is not enough for the government to raise our salary by five to 10 percent considering the present situation in the country."

Almeda said ACT has asked Congress to pass into law a bill seeking to grant government employees a P3,000 increase in their monthly salaries. –Sheila Crisostomo