LTFRB to drivers: No fare matrix, no fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — As the fare increases for public utility buses and jeepneys take effect today, operators and drivers cannot charge higher fares without an updated fare guide, transport officials said yesterday.

Transport Undersecretary for Road Mark de Leon said there is an existing rule that higher fares cannot be charged without an updated fare matrix issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

No jeepney operator applied for a fare matrix as of yesterday, the LTFRB reported.

There are 41,375 jeepneys in Metro Manila alone.  

Some provincial bus operators were able to apply for a fare guide but not all received one.

“Office will resume on Monday. It is only by then that the LTFRB can issue the fare matrix. Once it has been issued to the operators, that’s the time their drivers can charge higher fare,” De Leon said in a message sent to reporters. 

The LTFRB granted a P1 increase in the minimum fare for buses with routes in Metro Manila in an eight-page order dated Oct. 17. 

For provincial buses, the LTFRB approved a hike from P1.40 to P1.55 for every succeeding kilometer for ordinary buses and P1.60 to P1.75 for air-conditioned buses but there will be no increase in the minimum fare. 

The LTFRB upheld its Oct. 18 decision that made permanent the P1 provisional increase in July and granted an additional P1 for the first four kilometers, effectively increasing the minimum fare for jeepneys to P10.

The increase in fares would be implemented in the National Capital Region and Regions 3 and 4.

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra said there will be no suspension of the fare hike even as Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered a review of the board’s decision. 

He said they will follow Tugade’s instruction and review the fare increase and adjust it based on consumer price and movement of fuel prices. 

They will also issue a formula to determine the fare following a consultation with shareholders. 

Meanwhile, Aangat Tayo party-list Rep. Harlin Neil Abayon III, a member of the House of Representatives committee on transportation urged the LTFRB to suspend the fare hike it had approved for jeepneys and buses.

He added that at least two board members could make a decision even during the holidays.

Tugade earlier cited the practice in the air transportation sector, where fares change on the basis of the movement of the price of fuel and the consumer price index.

Fuel prices have gone down since the LTFRB approved the fare hike. – Jess Diaz