LTFRB approves ₱1 provisional jeepney fare hike, groups say it's not 'sustainable'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 3) — The Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday granted the ₱1 provisional jeepney fare hike.

The increase will take effect nationwide beginning Oct. 8, which means the minimum fare for traditional jeepney will be ₱13 and for the modern ones, ₱15 pesos.

«There were already 11 gasoline price increase. Ang ibinigay lang po namin, in my words, pantawid lang po muna [What we granted was temporary],» LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz said.

It may only be temporary as the LTFRB continues to consider the permanent ₱5 fare hike petition of Pasang Masda, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, and Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines.

Apart from the provisional increase, transport groups are asking for a ₱5 jeepney fare hike for the first four kilometers and an additional ₱1 for every succeeding kilometer.

The demand for a fare increase was brought on by the continuous increase in fuel prices for 11 weeks.

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Fare hikes not sustainable option

While commuter groups understand the plight of jeepney drivers and operators, they call on transport authorities to find other ways to resolve the problem.

«Fare hikes are not a sustainable option kasi it will come to a point na magiging beneficial for the commuters to invest in motorcycles, explore cycling. Mawawalan ng pasahero,» PARA Advocates for Inclusive Transport Edrich Samonte told CNN Philippines' Traffic Center.

Samonte further said transport authorities should have researched the implementation of the nationwide fare hike due to regional variations in the minimum wage.

He also seconded The Passenger Forum's call for the government to withhold the collection of excise tax and value-added tax on fuel products, saying that even a temporary suspension will be a «big relief» for transport workers.

«Pag ito ay sinuspinde, gaganda din ang kita ang mga tsuper at operator nang hindi apektado ang mga pasahero,» The Passenger Forum convenor Primo Morillo said.

[Translation: If it is suspended, the income of drivers and operators will also increase without