LTFRB issues new fare guide

Cebu - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board yesterday issued a notice to public utility vehicles on the new fare that would take effect beginning Monday.

 The FREEMAN, however, observed that even before the new fare can take effect on December 15, several public utility jeepneys in Metro Cebu are already reducing their fares.

With the new fare guide, the discounts applicable to students, the disabled and senior citizens are still in effect. Their regular fare will be P5.60 with additional .72 centavos for each succeeding kilometer.

LTFRB regional director Romulo Bernardes said there is nothing wrong if drivers already reduced the fare since this is advantageous to the riding public.

Currently, the minimum fare of PUJs for the first five kilometer is P7.50 with additional P1 for each succeeding kilometer.

The LTFRB central office had approved a nationwide provisional fare rollback of P7 for the minimum fare and a reduction of .10 centavos for the succeeding kilometer.

In Cebu, Bernardes and the transport groups agreed the other day that since the fare for the first five kilometers will be P7, the six- kilometer fare should by P7.75 from P7.90.

For the seven kilometers, the fare is supposed to be P8.80 but this will be reduced to P8.75.

Cebu has more than 10,000 PUJ units plying in different routes.

Bernardes also said that effective December 15, the P10 add-on rate for taxi will be removed. But this will be only until March 15, 2009, depending on the result of the public hearing on the matter on February 18, 2009.

For buses, the minimum fare for the first five kilometers is P8.80 and another P1.35 will be added for the succeeding kilometer.

Students, senior citizens and the disabled riding on buses will get a discount of 20 percent or P6.80 for the minimum fare and an additional P1.08 for the succeeding kilometer.

Cebu has 400 buses plying in the southern and northern parts of the province. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM (THE FREEMAN)