LTFRB-7 wants P6.50 minimum fare

CEBU, Philippines - Several passengers of public utility jeepneys expressed varied reactions on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s recommendation for a 50-centavo fare rollback to its head office in Metro Manila.

Jeepney passengers interviewed by The Freeman yesterday said that a 50-centavo rollback is too small considering that prices of fuel have been going down since last year.

“Gihimo na lang unta na nga piso ang rollback kay bungkig kaayo na inig plete nato. Matagbaw na sad ta pangita og 50 centavos,” said Melanie Dartega, a salesgirl of a local department store.

Other jeepney passengers however said that a 50-centavo fare reduction is better than nothing.

“Bisan gamay ra kaayo nang 50 centavos, pero sagdi na lang kaysa wala. Pero mas maayo unta nga piso na lang ang rollback kay gamay na lang sweldo namo ron,” said Reneboy Camilo, a furniture factory worker whose company recently resorted to a four-day workweek.

But while jeepney passengers were glad over the move, LTFRB regional director Romulo Bernardes said yesterday that the transport groups were opposed to any fare rollback.

Bernardes said that he wants a P1 fare rollback but since around 10,000 jeepney units in Region-7 are still using gasoline, which has a higher price than diesel per liter, he settled instead for a 50 centavo fare cut.

Bernardes said that even if the transport groups opposed the rollback he cannot ignore the clamor of the other sectors like the students and senior citizens.

"Hopefully, the new fare will be implemented this coming Monday," Bernardes said yesterday.

If LTFRB-7 will get the board's approval within the week, jeepney fares in the region will be P6.50 from the previous P7.

 The fare for students, senior citizens and the disabled will be P5.20 or this can be rounded off to P5.  -Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)