Commuters to get Valentine’s Day fare cut

Because love means having to pay less, commuters will be treated to a Valentine’s Day fare rollback after 150,000 jeepney drivers in Metro Manila agreed to lower fares by 50 centavos from Feb. 10 to 17.

The United Transport Coalition (UTC) said the fare rollback is part of the celebration of "Jeepney Week," which the group will be celebrating starting this year.

"This is our way of helping the poor, our sacrifice for the people during these hard times," said Zenaida Maranan, of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Associations of the Philippines (Fedjodap).

Fedjodap, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association (Altodap) and Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (Mjoda) comprise the UTC.

"We believe that the other groups will be one with us in this undertaking since this is for the good of the people. This only shows that even in our own little way — as long as we do it together — we can achieve something for the good of the many," Maranan added.

President Arroyo attended the launching of the UTC’s 50-centavo rollback project yesterday and expressed her gratitude for the group’s initiative to lower jeepney fares for eight days.

"Sa halip na kayo ang humingi ng biyaya, kayo pa ang magbibigay ng biyaya (Instead of asking for help, you are giving help yourself)," the President said. "Ito lang ay nagpapakita na bukas ang inyong mga isipan na ang paglutas sa kahirapan ay hindi nangyayari (overnight).  Kailangan na masipag magtrabaho, (kailangan ng) disiplina, at kooperasyon (This shows that you are open to the idea that solving the problem of poverty does not happen overnight. We need to work hard, we need discipline and cooperation)," she added.

According to Maranan, the 50 centavo rollback on jeepney fares from Feb. 10 to 17 would mean losses of up to P240 per day on average per driver based on three trips per day of a 20-seater jeepney.

This would translate to roughly a "P36-million sacrifice" for the 150,000 jeepney drivers who would participate in the Jeepney Week fare rollback.

"We have agreed to do this after many consultations among our members. It’s okay with us if the rollback would benefit the people," Maranan said.

She added that they plan to urge Congress to declare Feb. 10 to 17 as Jeepney Week, to be observed nationwide like Labor Day (May 1) for the labor sector.