LTFRB to talk with drivers on possible fare rollback

CEBU – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will hold a dialogue with transport and consumer groups, oil companies and other interested sectors on Nov. 4 regarding government plans for a fare rollback in the wake of the continuous downtrend in world oil prices.

The dialogue is in answer to a petition filed by a consumer group seeking the reduction of jeepney, bus and taxi fares owing to the plunge in petroleum prices.

“There has been continuous sentiment from commuters for a fare rollback, but this is being opposed by the transport sector. That’s why we have to study the issue very carefully and with fairness to all sectors,” said LTFRB chairman Thompson Lantion.

Transport groups led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) earlier warned Malacañang not to engage in an early Christmas gimmick by ordering a fare rollback.

In their Sept. 19 petition, the National Council for Commuters Protection Inc. (NCCPI), led by its president Elvira Medina, said the steady decline in world pump prices has made a fare rollback necessary.

Medina’s group batted for a reduction of P1.50 from the current jeepney fare and P2 from the bus fare, stressing that there is “factual and legal basis” for this.

In their petition, the group said that despite the suggested rollback, a jeepney driver would still be earning a daily net income of P500 based on a computation of 10 trips for a 22-seater jeepney at a reduced minimum fare of P7 each and a pump price of P44 per liter.

“At this point, we are seriously considering the proposal for a rollback. Our commuters really need some relief from the rising costs of commodities, and it cannot be denied that oil prices have gone down steadily these past few weeks,” Lantion said.

Lantion further said his office would seriously review the NCCPI petition in light of a counter-petition from PISTON, Pasang Masda and other transport groups against the rollback.

PISTON secretary general George San Mateo said despite the reduction in world crude prices, oil price rollbacks implemented in the local market are not yet enough to justify a fare rollback.

“We are thus doing our best to find where the two sides may be able to strike an agreement since we want to protect both the riding public and the transport sector,” Lantion said. — Philippine Star news service/BRP (THE FREEMAN)