LTFRB continues to hear fare increase petitions

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Friday that it will continue its hearing on Tuesday on the proposals of several transport groups to increase fare rates and provide a provisional fare increase for public utility jeepneys.

A series of hearings is being conducted by the LTFRB after receiving several petitions filed by various transport groups to raise fares for traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJ) and modern public utility jeepneys (MPUJ) due to the continuous rise in the prices of petroleum products.

In last Thursday's hearing, the LTFRB directed the General Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide Inc. (Pasang Masda), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap) and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) to submit their supplemental petitions within five days to finalize their proposals.

This decision came after clarification from LTFRB Chairman Atty. Teofilo Guadiz 3rd, Board Member Engr. Riza Marie Paches, and Board Member Atty. Mercy Jane Paras-Leynes regarding the request of these groups for a P5 fare increase for the first 4 kilometers and a P1 provisional fare increase specifically for TPUJs in the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to Guadiz, these groups need to submit their final petitions to specify the type of public vehicles and areas where they want the fare increase to apply.

Also, the LTFRB needed to gather input from commuters and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to make a final decision, he said.

«We will wait for the documents or supplemental petitions from the petitioners, as well as the comments from NEDA. After they submit these for the scheduled hearing on October 3, the LTFRB Board may issue a decision,» Guadiz stated.

Likewise, the agency examined the petition of Angat Tsuper Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas Genuine Organization (STOP & GO) Inc. and Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) for a P2 fare increase for TPUJs nationwide.

While reviewing the petitions, the LTFRB clarified whether transport groups have plans to merge their proposals to