LTFRB bares rules: Operators need permits to collect jeep fare hike

CEBU, Philippines - There will be a lot of arguments today in public utility jeepneys as the fare rate adjustment is set to take effect.

This is because, the Php 1 adjustment to the jeepney fares can only be collected if the operator has secured the necessary permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Regional director Ahmed Cuizon said the commuters should not pay the adjusted fare unless the driver can present the certification and verification fee receipt issued by the LTFRB regional office.

“Just as taxis, the drivers cannot increase without calibration, testing and sealing of its new meters, jeepneys also need to get the verification and certification,” Cuizon explained.

 In securing the certification from the LTFRB to show that the concerned PUJ unit is authorized to collect the additional fare, the applicant must pay P50 and another P50 for the verification fee.

Cuizon said that if the PUJ drivers will collect the new fare without the certification, the commuters have the right not to pay what is demanded.

“The certification will also stipulate the mandatory discounted rates for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities,” Cuizon added.

It is expected that PUJ drivers or their representatives will troop to the LTFRB regional office at the North Reclamation Area today to secure the requirement for them to start to collect the rate adjustment.

PHP 200 ADDITIONAL

Benjie Yu, the president of the Cebu Integrated Transport Services Cooperative (CITRASCO), said with the P1 fare rate adjustment the PUJ drivers may already have an additional P200 take home net income.

“Malipay g’yud mi nga mga drivers kon ang tag-iya sa mga sakyanan dili usab mopaumento sa among abangan. Sagad man g’yud nga kon may increase sa pletehan ila usab nga paumentohan ang abang,” Labangon-bound PUJ driver Guillermo Sanchez said.

According to Sanchez his regular daily net income for driving for more than 12 hours is only P450 to P550.

The LTFRB-Manila had decided to grant a P1 fare rate adjustment because of the high cost of petroleum products.

“While the LTFRB recognizes the plight of the Filipino people in this time of crisis, it cannot be insensitive to the present clamor of stake holders in public land transportation services for necessary action for fare rates,” said LTFRB Chairman Nelson P. Laluces.

According to Laluces the LTFRB has to judiciously balance the rights of the riding public who are mostly dependent on the public transport system vis-a-vis the right of the PUJ operators and drivers to a reasonable return of investment.

Laluces noted that the last time an increase was made, a liter of diesel was still P37.00. Now the price of diesel is already P44.

But for LTFRB Board member Manuel Iway, who is against to the granting of fare adjustment, the transport leaders and drivers still have no reasons to ask for increase.

“In all my years as a private lawyer, I have yet to see a transport group present studies, projections, financial statements, or data showing increase of goods which allegedly affect their operations,” Iway said.

Yu for his part, when he was interviewed over radio station dyLA yesterday, said while the LTFRB has already granted P1 fare rate adjustment to PUJs, the transport sectors will still continue to lobby for the approval of their petition for a P8 fare rate for the first four kilometers.

The PUJ drivers have been reminded to continue grant 20 per cent discount rates to students during school days and to senior citizens and persons with disability everyday. – Rene U. Borromeo/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)