P9 jeepney fare takes effect

MANILA, Philippines — The minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Metro Manila and nearby regions was rolled back to P9 from P10 starting yesterday.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a resolution ordering the provisional rollback of minimum fare.

The LTFRB resolution, which was published in The STAR yesterday, stated that the order takes effect immediately after publication in a newspaper of general and/or local circulation.

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said the fare rollback was in response to the continuous decline of fuel prices.

Meanwhile, LTFRB executive director Samuel Jardin said PUJ drivers must comply with the order.

The fare rollback covers the first four kilometers of PUJ routes in Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).

Transport groups have opposed the LTFRB decision.

Roberto Martin, president of the Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association or Pasang Masda, criticized the LTFRB for making a decision without consulting them.

Martin said the fare regulatory body should have shown some respect. He questioned what he described as a rush implementation of the order.

Zenaida Maranan, president of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), said the LTFRB should have conducted a hearing before deciding on the issue.

Maranan said Delgra did not get their side before coming up with a decision that would affect the transport sector.

The LTFRB was supposed to hear a petition filed by the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) for a fare reduction yesterday.

The hearing was postponed as officials of the fare regulatory body had to attend a Senate inquiry on the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

The UFCC is pushing for a minimum fare of P8.