Fare matrix processing to continue

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairwoman Elena Bautista said yesterday that the processing of applications for the new fare matrix will continue despite the deferment of the P2 fare hike for jeepneys and non-aircon buses.

However, Bautista said the release of matrices would be held for the time being while waiting for the resolution of the motions for reconsideration filed by a commuter protection group that questioned the fare hike approved last May 9.

Bautista said the LTFRB offices will continue accepting payments from fare matrix applicants, but the agency will have to temporarily hold their release until the cases are resolved.

"We will hold in abeyance the release of the fare matrices since we are not yet sure as to how much the increase will be, pending the resolution of the case," Bautista said.

She said the LTFRB will replace for free the matrices that were issued earlier, in case there are changes in the fares.

The other day, the LTFRB deferred the May 26 implementation of the approved fare hike for jeepneys and Metro Manila non-aircon buses pending the resolution of the MRs filed by the National Council for Commuter Protection (NCCP).

The LTFRB said it cannot determine how long the deliberations will take.

The reply alone could last for 10 working days to resolve the motion for reconsideration filed by the NCCP, which is asking that the minimum fare for jeepneys be raised from P5.50 to P6.50, and not the approved P7.50.

A motion for reconsideration was also filed by the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) to increase the P1 approved fare hike for Regions 6, 10, 11, and 12.

Separate motions for reconsideration against the approved fare hike for jeepneys and Metro Manila non-aircon buses were also filed by an independent petitioner.

Due to the filed motions, the LTFRB Board decided to defer the implementation of the fare increase for jeepneys and regular buses pending the resolution of the case.

Both petitioners and those opposed were given by the board five days to submit comments on the motions filed, and another five days to submit answers to the comments.