LTFRB junks P1 rush hour fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) rejected yesterday a petition for a P1 “surcharge fare” filed by a transport group.

In an interview with The STAR, Pasang Masda national president Roberto Martin said his group would file an amended version of the petition seeking a P1 fare increase.

“We will file an amended version tomorrow (Tuesday),” Martin said, adding their petition is separate from the P2 fare hike request filed by the other transport groups.

The P1 surcharge fare was intended during rush hours, from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

LTFRB chief Teofilo Guadiz III, however, said the agency would review the P2 increase in fares being sought by at least four transport groups.

Guadiz said the LTFRB respects the right of jeepney operators and drivers to file petitions for fare increase.

“There are many factors to consider when reviewing fare hike petitions. These factors should be carefully validated by the board before we can allow any fare hikes,” he said.

“We understand the urgency of the situation. That is why the board will convene to determine if the request for fare increase has merit,” Guadiz added.

The Liga ng Transportasyon at mga Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide, STOP and Go and Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines asked the LTFRB to approve the P2 fare adjustment for the first four kilometers amid oil price hikes.

LTOP national president Lando Marquez has said that Guadiz advised them to submit a formal letter requesting for an increase in minimum fare.

The four transport groups asked the LTFRB to increase the minimum fare from P12 to P14 for public utility jeepneys as fuel prices continue to increase.

Marquez maintained that under Section 4 of Memorandum Circular 2019-035, there is no need to file a formal petition for a fare hike.

“The LTFRB can adjust the minimum fare if a certain level of fuel increase is reached,” he said.